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Austin Beutner drops out of LA mayoral race after daughter's death
Former L.A. mayoral candidate Austin Beutner speaks during a news conference.
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Kayla Bartkowski
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
Topline:
Former L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner has dropped out of the L.A. mayoral race, saying he's still in mourning after the death of his daughter Emily.
Why now: In a statement, Beutner said a successful campaign "requires someone who is committed 24/7 to the job." He said family has always come first, and that's where he's needed at this time. Emily Beutner, 22, died in an L.A. hospital in January. No cause of death has been revealed.
The backstory: Beutner entered the mayoral race in October, focusing on homelessness, safety, the cost of housing and the loss of jobs. Even though he said he voted for Karen Bass, Beutner questioned her leadership following the Palisades Fire. Before serving as L.A. Unified superintendent from 2018 to 2021, Beutner was L.A. deputy mayor for three years during former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's second term. He was also the publisher of the Los Angeles Times from 2014 to 2015.
What's next: Despite quitting the race, Beutner says Los Angeles needs new ideas, "along with leadership capable of implementing them." He said, in time, he hopes to continue his efforts "to make sure Los Angeles' best days are ahead of us." Candidates still considering whether to enter the mayoral race have until Saturday to file election paperwork.
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