Talk radio host Kevin James to announce run for mayor
Another contender for the 2013 Los Angeles mayoral race is throwing his hat into the ring.
Radio personality Kevin James, who broadcasts on KRLA-AM (870) weekdays from midnight to 3 a.m., plans to announce his candidacy on Wednesday on the steps of City Hall.
Campaign spokesman John Thomas said James, 47, wants to make Los Angeles more business-friendly and believes that "we desperately need new leadership in L.A." James already has working relationships with union leaders, business officials and nonprofit groups, Thomas said.
"One of the secrets to his candidacy is he brings a broad-based coalition to the table," Thomas said.
A radio broadcaster since 2003, James lives in Laurel Canyon and has practiced law for such firms as Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher. He was a prosecutor for the U.S. attorney's office and spent six years on the board of directors of AIDS Project L.A.
James was a major supporter of Carmen Trutanich in his victorious 2009 campaign for city attorney. Last year, he emceed the election night party for Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley's unsuccessful campaign for attorney general.
Other potential mayoral contenders include L.A. City Council members Jan Perry and Eric Garcetti, City Controller Wendy Greuel, First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and real estate developer Rick Caruso.
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-- David Zahniser at Los Angeles City Hall
EDITOR'S PICKS:
This is interesting....finally, an outsider. I'm looking forward to hearing some of his ideas.
Posted by: Ken Sherif | March 15, 2011 at 12:23 PM
anyone BUT zev! enough of him already.
Posted by: kuruc | March 15, 2011 at 12:27 PM
The best part is, even if he loses the election, this is going to be a lot free publicity for his show.
Posted by: David Reynolds | March 15, 2011 at 01:19 PM
This guy is a total clown. Last thing we need is another narcissist as a mayor.
Posted by: Bobby | March 16, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Finally someone who cares about a fiscally sound Los Angeles and who isn't part of the same group of cronies. Let's end LA's identity politics.
Posted by: RickWS | March 17, 2011 at 05:12 PM
Oh boy! We finally have a great, smart person to run our city!! This man has more knowledge than all the rest combined of Los Angeles and what the rest have done to us. Thankyou Lord for giving us this chance to get our city back.
Posted by: Nancy | April 04, 2011 at 01:32 PM
What L.A. needs is more people like Kevin James.Get rid of all the liberal commies.Your city will sparkle.
Posted by: Tony Mason | April 05, 2011 at 08:40 AM