Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is traveling out of state Thursday for his third high-profile political speech in as many weeks, this time to address Wisconsin’s Democratic Party convention amid growing speculation he is eyeing higher office.
Garcetti, who was recently re-elected in a landslide and will be sworn in for a second term as mayor July 1, delivered the keynote opening address at the Center for American Progress’ Ideas Conference in Washington, D.C., on May 16, and on May 20 he spoke at the California Democratic Party Convention in Sacramento.
The mayor will be the keynote speaker Friday night at the Wisconsin Democratic Party convention, which is being held in Middleton, just outside Madison. Garcetti is scheduled to return to Los Angeles Saturday morning.
Garcetti has been rumored for some time to be considering a run for governor in 2018 or for the Senate if Dianne Feinstein retires.
Garcetti dismissed such notions in a May 18 speech to the California Newspaper Publishers Association meeting in Santa Monica, saying he is confident in the ability of the candidates already in the gubernatorial race.
“They’re going to do the right things. Their policies are aligned with mine,” Garcetti said in remarks published by the Los Angeles Times. “I’m not worried about California, I’m worried about the country.”
He noted, however, that he won’t “close anything off” in terms of seeking higher office.
His name has been raised in stories by The New York Times and Politico as a potential presidential candidate in 2020. Asked directly by Politico about the idea, Garcetti responded, “I’m not focused on running for president.”
When asked about The New York Times story, his spokesman, Yusef Robb, told City News Service, “We really can’t comment on speculation on tea leaves that other people are reading. Mayor Garcetti is squarely focused on being chief executive of the greatest city in America.”
Bill Carrick, a political consultant for Garcetti, told Politico, “He’s raised money around the country, and he’s got friends who’ve been in elected office or are currently in elected office. It’s not like they’re saying, `If you run, I’ll support you.’ But they’re saying, `You should think about it.”‘
About the Wisconsin trip, Robb said Garcetti “will also meet with elected officials, Democrats and business leaders to exchange ideas on making life better and more prosperous for Angelenos and Americans today and in the future.”
–City News Service