Eric Garcetti (photo courtesy of Creative Commons).

Eric Garcetti announced his plans to run for mayor of Los Angeles and filed the required paperwork Thursday.

Garcetti is Los Angeles City Council president and councilman representing the 13th Council District.

“I’m running for mayor to get L.A. and our economy back on track,” Garcetti said in a press release. “I’ll bring focused leadership based on experience, practical know-how and a willingness to embrace innovation."

According to the press release, Garcetti was raised in the San Fernando Valley and studied urban planning and political science at Columbia University.  He taught public policy, diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College and the University of Southern California.

Garcetti was a California co-chairman of President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, is an executive committee member of the Democratic National Committee and chairman of the Democratic Municipal Officials.

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Reach assistant news editor Agnus-Dei Farrant here.