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LA Mayoral Election Profile: Kevin James

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — In an campaign with several candidates promising to put a new face on City Hall, one mayoral hopeful says this election is more than just about votes - it's about sending a message to the nation.

KNX 1070's Charles Feldman reports Kevin James wants to bring bipartisan solutions to a city that faces multiple challenges.

LA Mayoral Election Preview: Kevin James

A former federal prosecutor and radio host, James is positioning himself as the truly independent candidate, a registered Republican who has switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party to undeclared and now back to Republican.

James believes L.A. is a city in crisis - and not just one kind.

"The jobs crisis - our unemployment rate is 50 percent higher than the national average - you can't blame that on the national economy, we have a city government that is hostile to the private sector," James said "The budget crisis - not my term - the chief administrative officer...said that we are nearing insolvency."

James also cited federal data that ranks Los Angeles roadways as the second-worst in the U.S. as pointing to an "infrastructure crisis".

"The education crisis. We can barely graduate half our kids through through the LAUSD. The transportation crisis. We still have world famous traffic. The public safety crisis. That's the scandal that was revealed in the last year regarding the fire department response times," he added. "The corruption crisis. The building and safety department under investigation with indictments. The housing department under investigation with indictments, the housing authority. Under investigation with indictments."

If elected, James would be the city's first openly gay mayor.

"I think it sends a message across the country, not just about Los Angeles, but about a welcoming Republican Party in L.A. County and California," James said.

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