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County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky Out Of 2014 Mayoral Race

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky announced Thursday he has decided not to run for the office of mayor of Los Angeles, saying he would give way to "a new generation" of political leaders when his term ends in 2014.

"For many months, I've been wrestling with one of the most difficult decisions of my political life -- whether to run for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles," he wrote on his blog in a posting meant to serve as an announcement to the public.

"I've been urged to enter next year's race by friends, supporters and residents throughout the city. And I've been humbled and touched by the confidence they've placed in me."

The 63-year-old supervisor, a lifelong Angeleno, said that "with my expertise and experience," there is no doubt he could "help transform L.A.'s fortunes.

"In the end, however, it is this very length of service that has tipped the scales for me.

"By the end of my current term on the Board of Supervisors in December, 2014, I will have served the people of the city and county of Los Angeles for nearly 40 eventful, productive and fulfilling years.

"... While I have never been a supporter of term limits, I do believe that four decades is long enough for any citizen to hold elective office, especially in an executive capacity.

"So I've made the decision to complete my current term on the board and then move on to the other things I've longed to do outside the political arena while I have plenty of productive years ahead of me. Simply put, it's time for a new generation of leaders to emerge and guide this region into the future."

Yaroslavsky, who began his political career as a 26-year-old L.A. councilman, vowed that he and his staff "will give our all during the next 27 months" left on his term as one of the five supervisors of the nation's most populous county.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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