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.