Garcetti to endorse Robert Garcia in Long Beach mayoral race
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is expected to endorse the Long Beach mayoral campaign of Robert Garcia on Tuesday, marking one of the most high-profile endorsements in the race so far.
The L.A. mayor is expected to join the Long Beach councilman at a news conference Tuesday afternoon, said a person familiar with the situation, after a scheduled appearance at the annual luncheon of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Assn., which represents shippers and terminal operators at both cities’ ports.
Garcetti’s endorsement could signal greater cooperation between the cities, particularly on environmental and port issues, if Garcia claims victory in June.
Garcia is facing an expensive race against real estate investor and former NFL player Damon Dunn, who largely self-financed a primary campaign against nine other candidates and bested long-time Long Beach politico Bonnie Lowenthal for a spot in the June run-off.
Long Beach and Los Angeles are the two largest cities in Los Angeles County and share neighboring port complexes and various sections of the Los Angeles River.
Both ports are facing increased international competition in the shipping industry.
Garcetti has recruited neighboring cities in his push for a $1-billion L.A. river restoration project, which Garcia has praised.
The cities have not been known for active collaboration in the past.
Last year, Long Beach sued Los Angeles over plans for a new rail yard in the Port of Los Angeles, arguing that it lacked sufficient environmental protections for residents in the western end of Long Beach.
Long Beach officials also swiftly rejected a notion put forth by an L.A. city commission last month that the two ports should merge.
Garcetti’s endorsement comes as Long Beach officials are continuing an inquiry into an incident in which Garcia’s campaign transported a group of unverified voters to vote early during the primary.
About 15 to 20 people from the Cambodian American community were bused by Garcia’s campaign to City Hall on March 21.
Nine of them did not appear in the voter registration system, and were turned away, said Long Beach City Clerk Larry Herrera.
Of those nine, Herrera said, six have been confirmed as registered voters.
Twitter: @cmaiduc
christine.maiduc@latimes.com
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