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Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Sunday that he will not be running for governor of California, ending speculation he would try to replace Governor Jerry Brown in the 2018 election.
1/3 I have decided not to run for Governor of California. I am passionate about my city and my family; both are here in Los Angeles.
— Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) October 29, 2017
2/3 We have a lot of work left to do to build a stronger city, state, and nation and I know I can best build on our progress here in LA.
— Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) October 29, 2017
3/3 I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and continue the work we have started together. Oh yeah, and Go @Dodgers! --EG
— Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) October 29, 2017
If he were to enter race, he would be campaigning against former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Instead, he will remain in Los Angeles to "best build on our progress here in L.A.."
Garcetti won his second term as mayor by a landslide back in March. He was sworn in in July, so he's only a few months in to his second term, which will last five and a half years due to a one-time change in the election year.
His decision not to run for governor doesn't mean he won't look for a presidential run in 2020. While he and his camp have kept mum on the matter, we've noted that he's visited multiple swing states and had a meet-and-greet with billionaire donor Ronald Perelman. He also spoke to a TV reporter in Wisconsin back in June, saying, "I think all the rules are off," according to the L.A. Times. "No African American could be president until one was. No reality star could be president until one is," he said. We'll fill in the next sentence: no Los Angeles Mayor could be president until Garcetti is.