California Apartment Association

Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti will be L.A.’s next mayor after a hotly contested race against former colleague and City Controller Wendy Greuel.

Running an extremely effective grass-roots campaign, Garcetti distinguished himself as an independent candidate who’ll address the city’s lingering fiscal crisis and get people back to work.

“Through a combination of direct contributions and independent expenditures, CAA LA engaged in a strategic plan that supported winning candidates in the city of Los Angeles general election,” said Chris Scroggin, vice president of operations at Prime Group and chairman of the California Apartment Association LA’s Political Action Committee. “We look forward to working with all the newly elected officials as the city gets back to the work of creating jobs and moving L.A. forward towards economic solvency.”

Garcetti will take over as mayor July 1. On Thursday, he met with termed-out Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, beginning the transition process.

“This is a man who has a record — 12 years on the City Council, council president for a good portion of that time — somebody who is going to hit the ground running when it comes to leading this city, and he will have my full support,” Villaraigosa said in this L.A. Times article.

Also during Tuesday’s election, a pair of veteran state legislators won seats on the Los Angeles City Council – both forced open by term limits.

Former Assemblyman Gil Cedillo will replace District 1 Councilman Ed Reyes, having defeated Jose Gardea.

Moreover, state Sen. Curren Price will replace District 9 Councilwoman Jan Perry, having defeated Ana Cubas.

CAA LA is proud to have supported Cedillo and Price — both good friends of the rental housing industry.

In the race for city controller, CAA LA supported Ron Galperin, who beat current City Councilman Dennis Zine.

While CAA LA does not have direct contact with the controller, the association felt strongly that Galperin would serve as an excellent fiscal watchdog for the many city departments that affect the housing industry.

Cost savings and fiscal accountability will help every business in Los Angeles.