Greuel opts out of race for Yaroslavsky's seat

Greuel with former mayor Richard Riordan during the 2013 campaign for mayor. Gary Leonard photo.

Former city controller Wendy Greuel said Thursday she's just not ready to take on another tough political campaign so soon after losing the mayoral election to Eric Garcetti. She will not be running in the open race to succeed Zev Yaroslavsky on the county Board of Supervisors. Greuel said. "In my gut, the timing is not right," Greuel said. "There are good candidates out there. I might run for something in the future, but I just don’t think I want another campaign now.”

Greuel did not make an endorsement in the supervisor race. The known candidates so far include the former state Senator Sheila Kuehl, who has been running for some time and has raised nearly $500,000, and former Santa Monica mayor Bobby Shriver, who jumped in as Greuel was getting out. West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran and former Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich had previously said they are running.

Supporters had been urging Greuel to run according to Seema Mehta in the LA Times.

"With her name ID and Valley base, Wendy would have been the clear frontrunner,” said Sean Clegg, a Democratic consultant who was advising Greuel on a possible run. “She's got a tremendous future and will have many, many opportunities going forward."

Greuel debated whether to run through the holidays and into the new year, with her supporters planning to launch a campaign tied to the 20th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake. She was deeply involved in the recovery efforts as part of President Bill Clinton’s Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Candidates have until March 7 to file the nominating papers to run, though anyone who has not already been raising money is behind the curve. The primary election is June 3, the same day as the statewide primary.