Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León announced he is joining the race for mayor at a rally at the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
“I am ready to be the leader LA needs and build the bright future Angelenos deserve," he tweeted. De León currently represents District 14.
De León is the third elected official to join the race after City Attorney Mike Feuer and City Councilmember Joe Buscaino. Business leaders Jessica Lall and Mel Wilson have also announced they will be running for mayor.
De León spent four years in the state Assembly and eight years in the state Senate. He serves four years as president in the state Senate.
De León's announcement comes on the heels of a petition to recall him from office. He was served with a recall notice on July 20 and is the third City Councilmember to be targeted with a recall over the city's handling of the homelessness crisis.
Loyola Marymount University political analyst Fernando Guerra, who also heads the Center for the Study of Los Angeles, told KNX 1070 that de León could be a clear favorite.
"Kevin de León is a progressive Democrat," Guerra said. "He has been a community organizer and he has tremendous support among Latino activists, Latino organizations and obviously, Latino voters with his ability to continue to win public office. He will be a force in the campaign. He has to be taken very seriously.
The mayoral primary is scheduled for June, and a runoff election is scheduled for November 2022.