Austin Beutner a candidate for mayor?

Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan told Bloomberg Business Week's Chris Palmeri that the first deputy mayor is a possible candidate for mayor, and Eli Broad agreed in an email that Beutner could be a good contender. The possibility of a Beutner candidacy has come up in the last few months, as he takes on more roles within the city (including interim general manager of the DWP). Seems like a longshot, given the crowded field that's anticipated, not to mention Beutner's minimal political base (well, except for Broad and Riordan). Beutner, a registered independent, said he's made no decision on a run. From the Bloomberg piece:

"He's got the mindset of a takeover artist, someone who comes into a failing business, gets rid of people as fast and efficiently as possible," said Ron Kaye, a former editor at the Los Angeles Daily News and board member of L.A. Clean Sweep, a political action committee challenging incumbents in the March 2011 city council election. "The trouble with that is, this isn't a business."

City Hall denizens use "Beutnercrats" to describe the former investment banker's economic-development team. At a Sept. 7 meeting of the group, in front of a banner bearing Beutner's personal motto, "Getting to Yes," the deputy mayor was being updated about a company that wanted to sell electric trucks to the city. Beutner said Los Angeles wants the company to open an office in town. "It's not our attempt to be a fleet-sales effort for them," Beutner said. "It's all about the jobs."



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Mark Lacter
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.
 
Mark Lacter, business writer and editor was 59
The multi-talented Mark Lacter
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