Former Rep. Roybal, Daughter Back Becerra for Mayor

Rep. Xavier Becerra received a boost in his mayoral bid Thursday when he was endorsed by former Rep. Edward Roybal and his daughter, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard.

“Time after time, regardless of the odds, he continues to fight for things he believes in,” Roybal-Allard said during a mid-morning news conference at the Boyle Heights Senior Center. “That’s the kind of leadership we need in the city of Los Angeles.”

Roybal, who was the first Latino elected to the Los Angeles City Council in modern times, is ailing and did not attend the event. But he released a letter endorsing Becerra, writing: “Los Angeles deserves nothing less than the vigor, sincerity and intelligence Xavier Becerra would bring as mayor to our great city.”

Becerra represents the same district Roybal did during his 30 years in Congress.

One of six major candidates for mayor, Becerra will officially announce his candidacy next week.

Before Thursday’s news conference began, he took questions from an audience of about 50 people gathered at the center. One man asked about a report in Wednesday’s edition of The Times that Latino leaders tried to broker a deal between Becerra and former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa so only one would enter the race. Becerra reportedly refused to go along with the suggestion.

“Antonio is a friend, but I’m not going to sit in a room and decide who runs,” Becerra said Thursday. “The decision will be that of the people.”