Beutner: I’m not running for mayor of LA

Austin Beutner, formerly the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District and, before that, a city deputy mayor, won’t be running for termed-out Mayor Eric Garcetti’s seat – nor for retiring County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s seat or any other elected position this year, for that matter.

Having previously flirted with politics – Beutner ran for mayor in 2011 but ultimately pulled out, citing family issues – and given his past work in local government, his name often surfaces as a potential candidate when there’s an opening for an elected position.

But he told the Los Angeles Daily News last week that he “quite recently” made up his mind that he won’t be running for office this year. Between his ongoing work with Vision to Learn, a nonprofit  he founded that provides free eye exams and glasses to low-income students, and an effort he’s spearheading to get a statewide measure on the November ballot to increase funding for arts education, Beutner said he’s focused on other commitments in 2022.

“That’s what I can do now, what I want to do now, where I think I can make a difference,” he said about his work with his nonprofit and the ballot initiative.

“I’m not running for anything in 2022. My plate’s full,” he continued, adding that he’s also seeking to restore balance in his life by spending more time with family and friends.

In announcing that he would not return as superintendent of the nation’s second-largest school district when his contract was up last June, Beutner, like many other schools chief throughout the country, cited fatigue from dealing with the coronavirus pandemic as one reason for stepping down.

Serving as mayor would require the same level of “24/7” dedication that being superintendent called for, Beutner said.

So who should be L.A.’s next mayor? Beutner declined to comment on the individuals who have indicated plans to run, saying he’ll keep an open mind.

More than three dozen people have filed papers to raise money for the mayoral campaign, though some may end up not making it onto the ballot if they don’t collect enough valid signatures from voters. Among those who have announced their candidacy are U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, Councilmembers Joe Buscaino and Kevin de Leon and City Attorney Mike Feuer. Jessica Lall, president of the Central City Association of Los Angeles, entrepreneur Ramit Varma and businessman Mel Wilson have also announced that they’re running.

When asked if he would consider a run for any office in 2023 or beyond, Beutner would not rule it out. He reiterated that he’s focused this year on making sure the proposed ballot measure for more arts education funding passes “and we’ll see what life brings after that.”

“I live my life one foot in front of the next,” he said.