Ex-reporter named Mayor Garcetti's press secretary

Connie Llanos is the mayor's new press secretary. She is currently the communications director and strategic advisor for City Council member Curren Price. During the 2013 race for mayor she had been a spokesperson for candidate Wendy Gruel, who ended up losing to Garcetti. Llanos previously worked for Valley City Council members Felipe Fuentes and Tony Cardenas.

Before switching sides in 2011, Llanos was a reporter for the Daily News of Los Angeles covering politics and education.

Garcetti said he chose Llanos for her “wealth of experience on both sides of media -- as a journalist and as a communications strategist,” per City News Service.

“Her deep policy expertise on citywide issues like the minimum wage and experience fostering community in the 9th Council District ensure she will hit the ground running,” Garcetti said.

Llanos is the second recent addition to Garcetti's communications team. Naomi Seligman came on in May as communications director.