L.A. teachers’ union endorses Garcetti, Feuer

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The teachers union for the Los Angeles Unified School District has weighed in on all but one of the City Hall races on the March 5 ballot.

City Councilman Eric Garcetti got United Teachers Los Angeles’ endorsement for mayor. And it has decided to back past city councilman and former Assemblyman Mike Feuer for city attorney.

Garcetti is a presumed front-runner, along with Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, in the crowded March 5 primary election. Other contenders with substantial campaigns are Councilwoman Jan Perry, attorney and former radio talk-show host Kevin James and former tech company executive Emanuel Pleitez.

UTLA, like other large employee unions, can provide volunteers and other help to its chosen candidates. It backed then-Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, a former union organizer, for mayor in 2005, only to see him try to take over the school district once he got elected.

Feuer is one of three candidates challenging City Atty. Carmen Trutanich. The former lawmaker has racked up the most campaign cash and endorsements in the contest. Others on the ballot are private attorneys Greg Smith and Noel Weiss.

UTLA did not endorse in the only other citywide contest, for city controller.

The teachers’ union backed candidates in all eight City Council races, including District 9, where it endorsed two contestants for the open seat, state Sen. Current Price (D-Los Angeles) and teacher Ron Gochez.

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--Jean Merl