Schwartz lists why he is running against Garcetti

Mitchell Schwartz, the longtime Democratic strategist who came out of the closet as a reelection challenger to Mayor Eric Garcetti when a reporter called him in January, this week sent around a mailing that amounts to a more planned announcement. Schwartz, 55, of Windsor Square, explains why he decided to run against an incumbent mayor.

Crime, over-development and Garcetti's ambitions are on the list.

I've tried to contact many of you and will continue to call in the coming days as I gear up my campaign. But I wanted to reach out to you all as soon as I could because not only do I believe this city needs the kind of change I will spearhead, I can win.

I love Los Angeles. LA is my adopted home and the city where Lizzie and I are raising our children. This city I love is headed in the wrong direction. Violent crime is up, our infrastructure is crumbling and our schools are underfunded and overburdened. More and more we see the results of our weak zoning laws: out of control development that ruins the character of our neighborhoods and renders housing unaffordable for many. That Los Angeles was recently named the U.S. capital of homelessness is no surprise as we see more and more people struggle to survive on our streets.

We can do better.

We live in a great city with a proud tradition and tremendous human resources. But we've been underserved by career politicians who see this city as a stepping stone to higher office. Los Angeles needs a Mayor whose goal isn't climbing the ladder to the next elected office. I'm staying here and want to be that leader.

You are getting this letter because you know me. I coached your kid, or worked with you on a project we both believed in. Maybe you know me from Temple, from the neighborhood, from college, or from the campaign trail. Or maybe you know me because we stopped and talked and actually listened to each other one day. I want to help this city, that's my only ambition here. There is no doubt that together we can improve the quality of life for all Angelenos.

There's also a fledgling website up now and a Facebook page.