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suja01Another Long Beach city councilmember has joined the race to become Long Beach’s next mayor.

On Tuesday morning, 2nd District Councilmember Suja Lowenthal announced her candidacy for the position, joining six others, including two of her fellow councilmembers, who have already thrown hats into the ring. She is the second candidate to step forward in the week since Mayor Bob Foster announced he would not be seeking a third term as a write-in candidate, a move that surprised many who expected him to run in the April 8, 2014 elections. 

“Long Beach is my home. She is home to my family. I am deeply committed to the future of our great city,” Lowenthal said in a statement. “Therefore, after serious consideration and the support of my family, friends and close advisors, I have decided to run for Mayor of Long Beach.”

Lowenthal is in her second term and was vice mayor from 2010-2011. Previously, she has served as president of the Board of Education for the Long Beach Unified School District and as an alternate for the California Coastal Commission, and has held numerous policy roles with area water districts. She currently works for the City of Santa Monica as the Manager of Transit Government and Community Relations. 

Lowenthal was educated at UCLA, California State Los Angeles and holds a Doctorate in Policy, Planning and Development from USC.

“We live in a beautifully diverse city. People from around the world have made Long Beach their home. Finding the balance between what makes us different and what we have in common is my passion, my history, and my commitment,” she said. 

The five other candidates for mayor are 5th District Councilmember Gerrie Schipske; Damon Dunn, a political independent and real estate investment firm founder; Long Beach City College Trustee and attorney Doug Otto; Vice Mayor Robert Garcia; and two-time 1st District candidate and treasurer of the Willmore Heritage Association, Jana K. Shields.

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