LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Councilman Eric Garcetti is running for mayor of Los Angeles.

KNX 1070′s Pete Demetriou reports Garcetti joins fellow City Council member Jan Perry, City Controller Wendy Gruel and Deputy Mayor Austin Buetner as serious contenders to replace termed-out Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“I’m running for mayor to get L.A. and our economy back on track,” Garcetti said in a statement after filing the required papers on Thursday morning.

The fourth-generation Angeleno promised “focused leadership based on experience, practical know-how, and a willingness to embrace innovation.”

While Garcetti has the name recognition and experience as council president, he currently trails in fundraising behind the other contenders, including Greuel, who has banked over $475,000.

Garcetti’s father Gil served as the district attorney for Los Angeles County from 1992 until 2000 in the wake of the Rodney King riots in South L.A.

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