Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti on Wednesday described himself as a "street-level mayor" in his first appearance since winning Los Angeles' highest office, saying he will focus on the city's economy while also working to restore basic services.
Surrounded by supporters, Garcetti met with reporters on a basketball court in Echo Park, a neighborhood represented by the councilman since 2001. His main priorities, he said, will be luring businesses to L.A. and creating job growth, and bringing back services like tree trimming and street paving.
"This is a place where we are ready to put the recession in the rearview mirror, and move forward with prosperity once again," Garcetti said.
The Echo Park event came hours after Garcetti's win in the mayor's race, a decisive victory that makes the city councilman L.A.'s first elected Jewish mayor.
The former City Council president bested rival Wendy Greuel by a 54-46 margin, according to the city elections division. He earned 181,995 votes, compared to Greuel's 155,497 ballots. There are still 82,185 ballots left to be counted, but they are not expected to swing the outcome. City officials have until June 11 to certify the count.
Turnout in Tuesday's election was 23.7 percent, up slightly from the March primary election, which had 20.79 percent, city officials said Wednesday.
City controller Greuel, who sought to become the city's first woman
