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Biden Wins Endorsement From Influential Los Angeles Mayor

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti endorsed Joe Biden, giving him an influential supporter in the nation’s largest state

Biden Wins Endorsement From Influential Los Angeles Mayor
Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, listens during an event in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. (Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg)

(Bloomberg) -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti endorsed Joe Biden, giving the Democratic presidential candidate an influential supporter in the nation’s largest state.

“We need Joe Biden to bring our nation and world together during these most divided and dangerous times. I know that from day one, he will heal our nation, repair our relationships abroad and get things done — and will be a true partner in solving the national homelessness crisis,” Garcetti said in a statement issued by the Biden campaign.

Garcetti will also serve as a national co-chairman of the Biden campaign.

Several candidates had courted Garcetti and had close ties to him. He and Senator Cory Booker were Rhodes Scholars at the same time. Garcetti has worked with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on various urban projects.

Bloomberg met with Garcetti on Monday at Phillipe the Original restaurant in Los Angeles when the former New York mayor was in the city to open two campaign offices. Garcetti tweeted that he had a “great conversation with my friend, @MikeBloomberg.” Garcetti declined to answer reporters’ questions at the event about whether he would endorse Bloomberg.

Senator Bernie Sanders has been leading in California polls, and Bloomberg has staked his candidacy on a strategy that includes winning California on Super Tuesday, March 3. Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.

Garcetti appeared with Biden at a King Taco in May.

”Joe helped us raise the minimum wage. He came here to help us with climate change, with a summit we had with Chinese mayors. I mean, he’s been here regularly. He’s almost an honorary Californian,” Garcetti said at the event.

Garcetti had considered getting into the presidential race and spent time in 2017 and 2018 visiting the four early-voting states. He said he wouldn’t run so he could focus on his job as mayor.

Biden already has the endorsement of one of California’s senators, Dianne Feinstein. The state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, had endorsed California Senator Kamala Harris who dropped out of the presidential race late last year. Biden also secured the endorsement Thursday of Long Beach, California, Mayor Robert Garcia.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jennifer Epstein in Washington at jepstein32@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Wendy Benjaminson at wbenjaminson@bloomberg.net, Max Berley

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