President Joe Biden announced Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as the next ambassador to India on July 9. The Senate must confirm Garcetti first before he is officially appointed to the position, but if that occurs, LA will need a new mayor.
The Los Angeles City Council has the option to hold a special election or appoint an interim mayor for the rest of Garcetti's mayoral term. However, due to the high costs of a special election, an interim mayor will likely be selected.
LA's 41st mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, said he would be honored to take on the role once again when he spoke with host Alex Cohen on "Inside the Issues."
"For me, LA is home, and I think we've seen better days, there's no question about it when you look at homelessness and crime and dirty streets, and I think people are concerned and there will be an election next year, but I also think it's important that the next mayor is able to hit the ground running," Villaraigosa said.
Villaraigosa served as mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013, making him ineligible to run for mayor again. However, he contends he would be the most qualified and focused person to take on the interim position.
And even though the role would only last a short period of time, he says he has the experience to make tough calls on day one.
"I wouldn't concern myself with the fact that it's for a limited period of time, it is what it is," he added. "I'd want to do as much as I could in that time. I'd want to take on the challenges. I'd want to make sure that we're rowing in the same direction to address these really big issues facing us."
If Villaraigosa is chosen to be interim mayor, he would make history as the first person to lead the city twice. If given that opportunity, the former mayor said he would not be shy in taking action immediately.
"We all want to be loved, but I'd rather be respected, and that means you have to make the tough calls, and you can't be afraid that it might hurt your career going forward, that it might engender opposition that people are going to be angry with you."
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