Businesswoman Cindy Allen announced two hefty endorsements Friday in her bid to represent the Downtown area on the City Council—the same day incumbent Jeannine Pearce said she will not seek reelection.

Mayor Robert Garcia and state Sen. Lena Gonzalez said they will back Allen in the March 2020 race. Six others are vying for the seat in what has now become a wide-open race.

Gonzalez said wants to ensure more women are elected to public office, and said Allen has fought for women and the LGBTQ community. “She has a very strong commitment in improving our community with focus & care,” the senator said in a statement.

Garcia said he’s known Allen, a former Long Beach police officer, for many years and seen her passion for Long Beach.

“I greatly respect her service to our city as one of the first women in the Long Beach Police Department to work in the gang and investigative detail,” he said in a statement. “No one will be better prepared to lead on public safety issues than Cindy.”

Allen sold her business, ETA Advertising, this fall, shortly before announcing her entry into the race. Others campaigning for the seat include real-estate agent Robert Fox and mental health provider Jeannette Barrera.