Wendy Greuel speaking to USC Professor Gabriel Khan's Money, Markets and Media class.

Greuel, a Democrat, 52, said Congress is dysfunctional and there are a lot of issues that impact the lives of everyday people. 

“I am frustrated like everyone else is,” she said. “I am frustrated on the war of women and their reproductive rights and on the kind of challenges we have in the environment.” 

Greuel has served as Los Angeles City Councilwoman for seven and a half years and City Controller from 2009-2013.

If elected as Congresswoman, Greuel said she would work on changing several issues, such as increasing resources in the Los Angeles area for job creation. 

She added that she supports President Obama in raising minimum wage because Los Angeles is an economic engine.

Greuel also expressed that addressing transportation issues in Los Angeles is crucial. 

“This is an area in particular that is impacted in the 33rd district very much so and Waxman was a leader on transportation funds and that is something that I want to be able to do too,” she said.  

Other potential candidates for the seat include State Senator Ted Lieu of Torrance, State Assemblyman Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, State Senator Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills, Secretary of State Debra Bowen and possibly four more individuals. 

 “I will fight for the kind of jobs that the city needs to keep and fight for services for homeless veterans which is very critical,” she said.  “I will fight to make sure the Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t try to make decisions that are negatively impacting our communities here in Los Angeles and to be a strong voice for women in Congress.”

In the 2013 Mayoral election, Greuel came in second to Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Thursday, she was a guest speaker for an USC Annenberg "Money, Markets and Media" class taught by Professor Gabriel Khan, where she discussed the city's budget, the role she played as City Controller and her experience during the campaign trail. 

“This experience taught me that a lot of people are interested in the future of the city, whether they voted for me or my opponent,” she said. “You learn more from losing than winning and when one door closes another one opens.”

California’s 33rd congressional district represents Los Angeles County. 

Reach reporter here: Shaleeka Powell