Villaraigosa says he plans to stay mayor until his term ends

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Friday that he plans to stay mayor until the end of his term on June 30, greatly reducing the likelihood that he would become President Obama’s secretary of Transportation.

“I have said many times that I will be focused on my job as mayor of Los Angeles until 11:59 and 59 seconds on June 30, 2013,” Villaraigosa said in a prepared statement. “I am flattered and humbled by the speculation that has included my name for a possible cabinet secretary position, but I am firmly committed to remaining in LA and finishing my term.”

Villaraigosa’s announcement makes it highly unlikely he would become a contender for the position being vacated by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, even if that post remained open for months, said a person familiar with the mayor’s decision.

In his statement, the mayor said he was proud of his work in reducing crime rates, addressing air pollution and expanding the size of the region’s rail network. That third achievement was one of the reasons why Villaraigosa had been so heavily discussed as someone who could advise Obama on transit issues.

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-- David Zahniser at Los Angeles City Hall

Photo: The president and the mayor in 2008. Credit: Los Angeles Times