Krekorian Opts Out of County Supervisor's Race

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian took himself out of the running for Zev Yaroslavsky's Third District seaton the County Board of Supervisors on Thursday.

Yaroslavsky will be required by term limits to leave his supervisor's post in 2014 after 20 years on the job.

At least two politicians have filed paperwork to run for his seat, including former state Sen. Sheila Kuehl and West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran.

Krekorian said he is "deeply humbled" by encouragement from "neighborhood and civic leaders, business and labor representatives, environmental activists," but he wants to focus on his current task.

Krekorian, who represents the city's Second District, is serving his first term on the Los Angeles City Council. He will be up for re-election in 2015.

"The people of the San Fernando Valley entrusted me with the responsibility to change the culture of City Hall, increase the voice of the people of the valley, create new jobs and economic vitality and make our communities safer, and I take that responsibility very seriously," Krekorian said.

Council spokesman Jeremy Oberstein said Krekorian has not yet filed the fundraising paperwork, "but does intend to run" for a another term.

"We have a unique moment of opportunity to transform the City of Los Angeles and restore it to greatness, and in my current position I am serving a critical role in that ongoing transformation," Krekorian said. "We have already made many gains in the three years I have served the Valley, but there is still much important work to do here."

"I look forward to continuing to play a leadership role in that work in the City Council," he said.

Krekorian had been among several politicians said to be eyeing Yaroslavsky's seat. Former Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, who recently made a failed bid for Los Angeles mayor, said last month she planned to decide by some time in November if she would run for the supervisor's seat.

The county's Third District includes the San Fernando Valley, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, West Hollywood and Universal City.

Supervisor Gloria Molina, who has represented the county's First District since 1991, will also term out in 2014.