Councilman Garcetti wins L.A. mayoral election

LOS ANGELES – City Councilman Eric Garcetti defeated Controller Wendy Greuel to become the next mayor of Los Angeles after a caustic campaign in which he depicted his fellow Democrat as a pawn of powerful labor bosses.

With all precincts reporting on Wednesday, Garcetti had 54 percent of the votes while Greuel collected 46 percent. Garcetti sent out a tweet thanking voters and saying he is honored to lead the nation’s second-largest city.

Voter turnout was sluggish despite record spending during the campaign that centered on the city’s ailing economy and the influence of municipal unions.

Garcetti is the son of a former district attorney who grew up in the tony Encino enclave in the San Fernando Valley. He will be the city’s first elected Jewish mayor when he takes office July 1.

Associated Press