Days after Times Investigation Finds He Hid 15-Year Relationship, the Councilmember Won't Give Answers

Los Angeles — On the eve of Election Day, questions continue to plague Councilman Eric Garcetti as he refuses to end his 15-year relationship with an oil drilling company that is drilling under a local high school and has been accused of multiple health violations in recent years.

More than eight days after a Los Angeles Times investigation revealed Garcetti's agreement with Venoco, the Councilmember is refusing to sever ties with the oil company or answer questions about his oil interests.

The Times analysis found that Garcetti failed to disclose his interest in the Beverly Hills property whose oil rights he is leasing to Venoco, an apparent violation of state and city laws. It's the latest in a string of violations for Garcetti. An LA Weekly report found that Garcetti voted on millions in contracts for a billboard company he owned a stake in. Ethics complaints have been filed against Garcetti in both the billboard and Venoco cases, raising questions about other potential conflicts of interest and Garcetti's transparency.

"Whether it's voting on millions of dollars in contracts for a billboard company he owned a stake in, or having a secret 15-year relationship with an oil drilling company, Eric Garcetti seems to believe that he is above the ethics laws. For more than a week, Eric Garcetti has refused to cut his ties with a big oil company drilling under a local high school. The potential for profit from oil drilling is the only reason Eric Garcetti would sign a lease with Venoco," said Rose Kapolczynski, Wendy Greuel's campaign manager. "Eric can stop the threat of oil drilling today by ending his business relationship with Venoco immediately."

Pressure is mounting for Garcetti to cut ties with Venoco, which has been sued for allegedly causing cancer in former high school students and fined for illegally venting gasses over the high school's playing fields. On Friday, famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who sued Venoco in 2003 on behalf of families who say the oil company has caused cancer, denounced Garcetti's ties to the company.

“Ten years ago Ed Masry and I stood up for the victims of Venoco and its harmful effects on the community. This oil well that sits on a public high school in my opinion has caused irreparable harm in the form of cancer and Hodgkin’s disease," Brockovich said. "These families will never be the same because of Venoco. It’s reprehensible that Eric Garcetti, a candidate for Mayor, would have any relationship with this Big Oil Company. He should know that the lease he and other Beverly Hill property owners signed enable this company to pollute the air, endanger the lives of children and potentially be lethal in the form of cancer.”

Garcetti has claimed that no oil will be drilled under his property because of a ban in Beverly Hills on oil drilling. But the ban doesn't go into effect until Dec. 31, 2016 -- the same day Garcetti's agreement with Venoco ends -- and a Venoco spokeswoman disputed Garcetti's claim, according to the Times.

Calls for Reforms to Make LA More Business Friendly, Reduce Red Tape and Bureaucracy

Los Angeles — One day after the primary election, Wendy Greuel met with business leaders in the San Fernando Valley and toured WET Design, an innovative water and design firm that Greuel helped locate in the Valley as a City Councilwoman, to highlight the importance of creating jobs and reducing bureaucracy for LA firms.

WET has invented a variety of new green technologies and designed some of the most famous fountains in the world, including the Fountains of Bellagio and the world's largest fountain, the Dubai Fountain.

When the company sought to open a larger facility in Sun Valley so it could expand its business in 2008, Greuel was instrumental in helping cut red tape and secure approval from the City. The company now employs 165 workers.

WET also sought to build a permeable, environmentally friendly parking lot for its new campus, which would save water and make the company more sustainable. When several City departments balked, Greuel helped WET secure the permits it needed to build the parking lot.

"As mayor, I will be focused every day on attracting businesses and helping the ones that are already here so we can create jobs and grow our economy," Greuel said. "I'll be a mayor for all of Los Angeles, and that means making sure LA is a great place to do business. It means cutting red tape and bureaucracy so business owners can spend less time tracking down permits and more time helping their customers. And it means making sure that innovative firms like WET have the resources it needs to keep designing the green technologies of the 21st century — and that they're doing it here in LA."

"Wendy Greuel has spent her career fighting for business owners and entrepreneurs, and she understands that when businesses succeed, Los Angeles wins," said Stuart Waldman, President of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. "On the City Council, she championed business tax reform, and as mayor she'll fight to make the Valley and all of Los Angeles a global destination for businesses."

"We need elected leaders like Wendy Greuel to help firms cut through the bureaucratic ted tape that stunts innovation and job growth in LA," said Mark Fuller, co-owner of WET. "Just as businesses serve the needs of their customers, City Hall should focus more on helping companies succeed. As a small business owner and a former DreamWorks executive, Wendy understands that, and as mayor she'll fight for firms like ours."

The group toured WET's Idea Playground, where the firm tests and researches green technologies.

Los Angeles – Today Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, the longtime former pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) and one of Los Angeles’ most well-respected faith leaders and statesmen, announced he has endorsed Wendy Greuel for mayor.

Greuel has also earned the backing of LA Focus on the Word, a monthly faith newspaper.

Rev. Murray joined FAME in 1977 when it was a small congregation of 250. Under his 27 years of leadership, Murray transformed the FAME into a thriving, 18,000 person church that took an active role in the community.

FAME created more than 40 task forces as part of a multi-million dollar community and economic development program that tackled issues of unemployment, job training, homelessness, and public health.

When Greuel was an executive at DreamWorks studios, she partnered with Murray to create a job training program that trained Angelenos in low-income communities for jobs in Hollywood.

"Wendy Greuel understands the importance of building coalitions across our city, and she knows how to partner with the faith community to confront the challenges facing Los Angeles,” said Murray. “When Wendy was working at DreamWorks, she joined with our church and others to create a program that trained workers for jobs in the entertainment industry, and that’s the kind of mayor Wendy will be – a mayor for all of LA. I’m proud to support her campaign.”

“Chip Murray has redefined what it means to be a faith leader in Los Angeles. He’s had a deep commitment not only to the churches he’s led, but to the communities he’s served,” said Greuel. “Chip has dedicated himself to empowering Angelenos and fighting for civil rights, and he has brought jobs, housing and health care where we need it most. I have been proud to partner with him to bring jobs and development to our communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as mayor.”

As pastor, national leaders including presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush visited FAME and spoke to Murray’s congregation. He now chairs the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement and the USC John R. Tansey Chair of Christian Ethics in the School of Religion.

Greuel has a strong base of support in the African-American community, including endorsements by Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Senior Pastor-Teacher of Faithful Central Bible Church, Our Weekly, Olympic Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson, Public Safety Leader and Police Reformer John Mack, and the Black Los Angeles Young Democrats.

Greuel has brought together a strong coalition of support from public safety workers, major business groups, and labor organizations, including significant endorsements from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), the Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) PAC, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce's LA JOBS PAC, the County Federation of Labor (BizFed), and over 20 labor organizations representing tens of thousands of working men and women across Los Angeles. Greuel is also endorsed by the Los Angeles News Group (which owns the LA Daily News), the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP).

Greuel again calls on opponent to end oil lease that allows drilling under local high school

Los Angeles, CA — Today Wendy Greuel’s campaign questioned why Eric Garcetti refused to revoke his 20-year lease with an oil drilling company drilling under a local high school, instead abdicating his responsibility and turning over his lease to a campaign donor.

Amid questions about Venoco Oil’s record of health issues and an LA Times investigation revealing Garcetti’s failure to disclose his relationship with the company, pressure has been mounting on Garcetti to revoke his lease with Venoco. The company could begin drilling under Beverly Hills High School to his Beverly Hills property at any time. Last week, famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich last week called the relationship “reprehensible.”

Garcetti’s quiet lease transfer does nothing to stop Venoco from drilling for oil under his property.

“Eric Garcetti's stealth transfer of this lease to a longtime contributor does nothing to stop the expansion of oil drilling under a high school. If he wants to protect vulnerable school children, he should revoke the lease,” said Greuel campaign manager Rose Kapolczynski.

In 2003 Venoco was fined $10,000 by AQMD for releasing toxic fumes over the schools playing fields. The company was then forced to spend $60,000 on a state of the art air filtration system to ensure the safety of the students attending the high school.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Joined by a broad group of civic and faith leaders in the Asian Pacific American community, Wendy Greuel announced today that Congresswoman Judy Chu has endorsed her for mayor.

Chu, a multi-term Councilmember and Mayor of Monterey Park, was elected to represent California's 32nd district in 2009, becoming the first Chinese-American woman to be elected to Congress. Chu's district has the highest percentage of Asian-Americans in Southern California.

“Wendy Greuel exemplifies the experience and leadership that Los Angeles needs. She’ll be a mayor for all of Los Angeles because she can bring people from every community together to solve the big challenges facing LA – attracting new jobs, building a more seamless transportation network, and reforming the city’s schools,” Chu said. “I know something about breaking barriers, as the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress. It’s about time LA had a woman mayor, and I’m proud to stand with Wendy Greuel as she tries to make history in Los Angeles.”

“It’s an honor to have the support of Congresswoman Judy Chu,” said Greuel. “Whether it has been making college more affordable or fighting for more resources for law enforcement, Congresswoman Chu has fought for her constituents, and she has been a champion for the Asian-Pacific American community. As Mayor, I look forward to partnering with Congresswoman Chu to attract jobs to the region, improve public safety, and reform our education system.”

Greuel is carrying her momentum into the general election. This week she earned the support of respected faith leader and longtime former pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray.

Greuel also has strong support from elected leaders across the state including Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressmembers Janice Hahn, Tony Cardenas and Linda Sanchez, Assembly Speaker John A. Peréz, State Senators Alex Padilla, Fran Pavley and Ron Calderon, Assemblymembers Raul Bocanegra, Nancy Skinner, Felipe Fuentes, and Bonnie Lowenthal, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Councilmembers José Huizar and Bill Rosendahl, and LAUSD Board Member Nury Martinez, among others.

Greuel is leading in support from public safety groups, labor organizations, and business associations, having earned the support of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), the Los Angeles School Police Officers Association (LASPOA), the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) PAC, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce's LA JOBS PAC, the Los Angeles County Business Federation, and labor organizations representing tens of thousands of working men and women.

Major faith leaders choose Greuel

Los Angeles, CA – Today Bishops Charles E. Blake and Noel Jones, two of Los Angeles’ most respected and influential faith leaders, announced that they have joined Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer in backing Wendy Greuel for mayor.

Bishop Blake is presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ, which has more than 6 million members and 15,000 congregations worldwide, and he serves as pastor of the 24,000 member West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Blake is also a faith advisor to President Barack Obama, and he served on the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Since being appointed Senior Pastor in 1994, Bishop Jones has expanded his congregation from around 1,000 to over 17,000, and now leads the City of Refuge congregation in worship, outreach and community service.

Support from these key faith leaders follows recent endorsements for Greuel from Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Senior Pastor-Teacher of Faithful Central Bible Church, and Reverend Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, former pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church. Greuel has also been endorsed by former Los Angeles Urban League president John Mack, Our Weekly, LA Focus on the Word, and the Black Los Angeles Young Democrats.

“In these trying times, Los Angeles needs a leader who will be just, fair, and mindful of the needs of the community,” said Bishop Blake. “I've spoken with Wendy Greuel, seen her at services, and witnessed her commitment to all of Los Angeles. She understands our City as only someone who has spent a lifetime living and working across the city could. I have great confidence that she will be the next Mayor, and that she will lead Los Angeles to a healthy, prosperous future.”

“We need a mayor with the vision, the experience and the compassion to lead our city through the difficult times we face. We need someone who will bring together a coalition across the city, and fight with our communities for justice, equality, and social and economic empowerment. That leader is Wendy Greuel,” said Bishop Jones. “Wendy will be a mayor for all of Los Angeles, and she'll unite faith, civic and business leaders city to rebuild our economy, grow our middle class, and reform our school system. And that's why I am personally, and I stress personally, endorsing Wendy Greuel for Mayor.”

“Bishops Blake and Jones are true servants of their communities. They have shown us the central role our faith community plays in improving and empowering neighborhoods across Los Angeles,” said Greuel. “As mayor, I will continue to partner with faith leaders around the city to deliver critical resources into all our communities, and make Los Angeles the shining example to the world that I know it has been and will continue to be.”

Greuel has brought together a strong coalition of support from public safety workers, major business groups, and labor organizations, including significant endorsements from the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) PAC, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce's LA JOBS PAC, the County Federation of Labor (BizFed), the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), the Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), and more than 20 labor organizations representing tens of thousands of working men and women across Los Angeles. Greuel is also endorsed by the Los Angeles News Group (which owns the LA Daily News) and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project.

A bill to expand background check requirements for gun sales cleared its first Senate hurdle Tuesday, even though a compromise measure that would attract sufficient bipartisan support in the full chamber remains elusive.

[...]

Also on Tuesday, the committee approved a school safety measure by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) by a 14-4 vote. The committee suspended consideration on Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-Calif.) proposal to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines until Thursday; committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said he hoped to complete committee consideration of gun legislation by the end of the week.

On Wednesday, Wendy Greuel toured California Baby -- an innovative maker of safe, natural, and fun baby products -- in West Los Angeles.

During the tour Wendy highlighted that while Southern California is home to many of the world's most creative entrepreneurs, Los Angeles must do more to be responsive to the needs of business.

Wendy believes that by harnessing our unique talent and diversity -- and by spending our tax dollars more wisely -- Los Angeles can remain the creative capital of the world.

Here's a photo of Wendy with California Baby owner, Jessica Iclisoy:

"Many of the district's 763 schools, especially the oldest ones, are falling apart. It takes months and sometimes years for the district to respond to calls for repairs, and when I asked for specifics, I couldn't believe the numbers.

"We get a lot of work orders," said Hovatter. "About 1,100 a day."

Eleven hundred?

Yes, he said.

Many of those are quick fixes. But there's an enormous backlog of tougher cases. How enormous?

As of Monday, there were 35,442 unresolved calls for service and repairs, some of them going back several years."

Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel told me her son was complaining about how hot it was at his L.A. Unified elementary school, and she thought he was merely talking about the weather. It turned out the air conditioner in his classroom was broken.

The American Public Transportation Association said Monday some of the largest increases occurred in Los Angeles, where the popular Expo Line opened last April.

Los Angeles' light rail system saw an 18.5 percent spike in ridership, according to APTA. Most of that was attributed to the Expo Line, which stretches from downtown LA to Culver City.

The heavy rail system, meanwhile, saw a 3.7 percent increase in ridership.

National Women's Group Applauds Greuel's Commitment to Women's Issues

Los Angeles, CA – Wendy Greuel received the endorsement of EMILY’s List today, one of the country’s leading women’s advocacy groups. The endorsement adds to Greuel’s growing coalition of support from hundreds of women leaders and volunteers, and from business, elected and community leaders and organizations across LA.

With more than 2 million members, EMILY’s List is one of the country’s largest political advocacy groups. It has helped elect hundreds of women to national, state and local political office. By having more women engaged in leadership roles, EMILY’s List hopes to bring a diverse perspective to the legislative process and a renewed focus on progressive issues like social justice, civil rights and economic reform.

"Los Angeles has an opportunity this election cycle to not only select the most qualified candidate with a proven track record for protecting the rights of the people of all of Los Angeles, but also to make history by finally electing its first female Mayor,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “In 2013, Los Angeles faces having a City with no female leadership - we cannot let that happen. Wendy has stood up for women and families time and time again - her leadership will move LA forward."

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of EMILY’s List, which has done so much to get qualified women into leadership roles,” Greuel said. “Women bring unique leadership and perspectives to governing and shaping policy. Breaking this barrier and electing the first woman mayor in LA isn’t just a historic milestone – it’s about fighting for the rights and equality of women and girls.”

Greuel also announced that she plans to launch a Council on Women and Girls in the Mayor's Office, which would reestablish and elevate the Commission on the Status of Women and would help shape dialogue at City Hall about issues important to women and girls.

Greuel said she would designate a senior adviser in the Mayor’s Office to work with these leaders and City departments and Council offices to ensure they are considering the needs of women and girls in their policy and programming decisions.

“This is a cost-neutral and easy to implement plan that will guarantee that women and girls have a voice in government and policymaking once I am Mayor. It’s about not just paying lip-service to gender equity, but giving women a role in government and the civic process.”

Greuel has been a leader on women’s issues throughout her career, and has served as a mentor to dozens of women looking to become business and government leaders.

As a Councilwoman, Greuel was a consistent advocate for the rights of women and families. She was a leader on the implementation of the City’s Equal Benefits Ordinance to provide equal treatment of all employees in the city.

As City Controller, Greuel worked with LAPD to eliminate its backlog of DNA rape kits. And she found that a city program meant to give women- and minority-owned businesses a shot at $100 million in city contracts had a two-year backlog in certifying these businesses.

Greuel has also formed a strong coalition of support among women, including the growing Women with Wendy committee that now includes more than 700 women. Greuel has also earned the support of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, the National Women’s Political Caucus, LA County, the Latina Lawyers PAC, and community and elected leaders including U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressmembers Janice Hahn, Judy Chu and Linda Sanchez, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta.

Los Angeles -- Former State Assemblymember and newly elected Los Angeles Community College District Trustee Mike Eng announced today that he is endorsing Wendy Greuel for mayor of Los Angeles.

Eng remains a popular and respected leader in the Chinese American community. His former Assembly district has one of the largest Chinese populations in the country and is an economic center for Chinese American businesses.

Greuel has broad support from elected, civic, faith and business leaders in the Asian Pacific American community, and earlier this month she was endorsed by Congresswoman Judy Chu.

Los Angeles -- Former State Assemblymember and newly elected Los Angeles Community College District Trustee Mike Eng announced today that he is endorsing Wendy Greuel for mayor of Los Angeles.

Eng remains a popular and respected leader in the Chinese American community. His former Assembly district has one of the largest Chinese populations in the country and is an economic center for Chinese American businesses.

Greuel has broad support from elected, civic, faith and business leaders in the Asian Pacific American community, and earlier this month she was endorsed by Congresswoman Judy Chu.

"Wendy has stood side by side with the APA community from her first job working for Mayor Tom Bradley to her work as a City Councilwoman and Controller. She is an experienced leader who will be a Mayor for all of Los Angeles, and she will fight for people from every neighborhood and ethnicity," said Eng. "Wendy has the leadership we need to bring a broad coalition together to grow our economy and support small businesses, reform our public schools, and build a modern, regional public transportation network. I'm proud to support her for mayor."

"Mike Eng was a champion for his constituents and the APA community as an Assemblymember, and he fought to improve school standards and make California a more inclusive state," said Greuel. "As Mayor I am excited to partner with Mike to make sure every student in LA has access to a great education, no matter what their zip code is, and to grow and attract businesses here so our graduates have the opportunity to get a good-paying job."

On March 5, Eng won an election for a seat on the LACCD Board of Trustees. As an Assemblymember, Eng pushed for education reforms and improved academic achievement in the Asian Pacific American community. He sponsored a study by the University of California Asian American and Pacific Islander Multicampus Research Program that debunked the so-called Asian "model minority" myth.

The endorsement comes days after Greuel announced she had received a critical endorsement from EMILY's List. Greuel is leading in support from public safety groups, groups representing working men and women, and business associations, having earned the support of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) PAC, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce's Jobs PAC, and the Los Angeles Daily News.

A full list of Greuel's endorsers can be found here: www.wendygreuel.org/endorsements

600,000 Working Women & Men of the L.A. County Federation of Labor Support Greuel over Garcetti

Los Angeles – Today, 600,000 working women and men declared that Wendy Greuel is the best choice to move Los Angeles forward, strengthen the economy, and create good jobs, as the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor endorsed her campaign.

The endorsement underscores Greuel’s far-reaching, diverse and dynamic coalition of support throughout Los Angeles.

“The working women and men of Los Angeles are proud to stand with Wendy Greuel because we know she will be a strong leader and a fierce advocate for good jobs, and a strong middle class, all across LA,” said Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. “Wendy is a real truth-teller, which is just what we need from our next Mayor-- someone who says what they mean, and does what they say. LA deserves a Mayor who has the strength to be a leader and bring the city together to keep our neighborhoods safe and get us back on financial track. Wendy Greuel is the only candidate for Mayor with an extensive record of service in communities throughout Los Angeles. As an aide to Mayor Tom Bradley helping to rebuild after the riots, in the Clinton Administration to helping families pull their lives back together after the Northridge quake, and as a leader in the entertainment industry helping to keep jobs in LA, Wendy has been a strong leader for working families."

Durazo continued, “Groups that represent working people and the business community don’t often agree -- but we both support Wendy Greuel for Mayor because we know she will bring honest and bold leadership to the City, and she'll work hard to tackle our challenges head on."

“I am honored to have the support of our firefighters, 911 operators, nurses, librarians, trash collectors, and more. These workers are the backbone of our middle class. They are our neighbors and our community members who live in every part of the City. As Mayor, I look forward to working with them and focusing on growing our economy and creating good-paying jobs, right here in Los Angeles,” Greuel said.

Beyond her support from groups that represent working women and men, Greuel has built up a dynamic and expansive coalition of support from Los Angeles’ business leaders, including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce's LA JOBS PAC, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association PAC, the Los Angeles County Business Federation (Biz Fed), and a group of more than 60 influential business leaders from across LA.

Greuel has built a broad coalition of public safety workers, advocacy organizations, and elected and community leaders, including the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, the Los Angeles Daily News, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressmembers Janice Hahn, Linda Sanchez, Tony Cardenas and Judy Chu, as well as Speaker John A. Pérez, Supervisor Gloria Molina, and civil rights icons Dolores Huerta and John Mack.

Education champion says Greuel is best choice to reform LA's schools

Los Angeles -- Los Angeles Unified School District Board President Mónica García announced today that she is endorsing Wendy Greuel for mayor.

García has championed school reform at the local level. Her "Reform the LA Way" initiative calls for reducing bureaucracy, empowering parents, teachers and others close to a school's campus, and letting school communities make their own budget decisions.

"Reforming our schools is personal for Wendy Greuel. She's an LAUSD graduate who sends her son to her local public school and regularly advocates for education dollars going straight to the school site," said García. "As mayor, Wendy will fight for our student and families to make sure every student in LA has access to a world-class education, no matter what their zip code is."

"Mónica García is an educator, a reformer, a champion for our children -- and the most powerful Latina in education today. She has fought for reforms so schools have more local control, and her leadership has brought more money onto our campuses, raised test scores, and lowered dropout rates, despite tough budget cuts," Greuel said. "Mónica has spent her career fighting to put a great education within reach for every child in Los Angeles, and I'm excited to continue to partner with her to make LA's schools some of the best in the nation."

Greuel has been a consistent advocate for reforms that give parents more choice and schools more local control. But her opponent Eric Garcetti has flip-flopped in his support for the Parent Trigger law opposed by UTLA, which has endorsed him. Garcetti has also refused to back reform candidates, including García, against union-supported opponents.

García, the third Latina to serve on the Board in its 155-year history, has moved aggressively to give schools more autonomy and bring more money into the district. She helped pass a $7 billion school bond, the largest in U.S. history. In 2012, LAUSD improved its API score by 16 points, one of the best increases among urban districts in the country for the second year in a row, despite more than $2 billion in budget deficits in recent years.

García is the latest education leader to endorse Greuel, who recently earned endorsements from LAUSD Board Members Dr. Richard Vladovic and Nury Martinez, former LAUSD Board Member and school reformer Yolie Flores, and Los Angeles Community College District Board Member Mike Eng.

Greuel also has strong support from Latino leaders including Congressmembers Tony Cardenas and Linda Sanchez, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, Supervisor Gloria Molina, State Sen. Alex Padilla, Councilmember José Huizar, and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta.