Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia running for Congress

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia volition tally for Congress, helium announced connected Twitter astatine Friday morning, Dec. 17, a accidental aft Rep. Alan Lowenthal said helium would not question reelection.

Garcia’s speedy determination to win Lowenthal, of whom helium has been a longtime governmental ally, volition apt beryllium the archetypal successful a slew of Democratic candidacies for the heavy bluish 47th Congressional District — 1 that volition apt go adjacent safer for Democrats erstwhile the statewide redistricting process is complete. That process appears arsenic if it volition determination the territory wholly wrong Los Angeles County, excluding the occidental portions of Orange County.

But Garcia’s sanction designation — helium stumped for some Vice President Kamala Harris and, then, President Joe Biden during the 2020 statesmanlike predetermination — and immense popularity successful Long Beach, by acold the astir populous metropolis successful the district, the frontrunner for the seat.

Garcia is simply a two-term mayor, a station helium ascending to aft servings arsenic the First District City Councilman.

His announcement apt volition pb to a governmental free-for-all to beryllium the adjacent Long Beach mayor.

Garcia crafted the run announcement arsenic an ode to his mother, who died past twelvemonth from COVID-19.

“My ma brought maine to this state and risked everything truthful that I could go an American,” Garcia says successful a Twitter video. “She came present ne'er doubting that America was a spot wherever her migrant lad could succeed. That’s wherefore today, I americium warring for each kid to get the aforesaid changeable that this state gave me.”

Garcia, successful an interview, said helium wants to spell to Congress to guarantee Long Beach continues getting its just stock of national resources. He besides said helium would proceed Lowenthal’s bequest arsenic an biology leader.

“We are successful the midst of clime change, nary doubt,” Garcia said. “I volition proceed Alan’s enactment to springiness up fossil fuels. Long Beach has been a person successful that technology.

“I’m going to support the rights of cities, too,” helium added. “We request that voice.”

Garcia said helium would proceed arsenic politician portion campaigning, separating the 2 jobs. He said that would beryllium his accent successful Long Beach politics, arsenic well, with nary endorsements immoderate clip soon.

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