Councilmember David Ryu will not run for the 34th Congressional seat being vacated by Attorney General-Select Xavier Becerra. He released the following statement on his decision:

“When the nomination of Xavier Becerra as our next State Attorney General created an unexpected vacancy, many community leaders urged me to consider running for Congress. Because the election of Donald Trump marked such a dramatic shift in direction for the nation, I felt obligated to consider how I might best serve.

I have spent the last several days talking to family, friends, and constituents about the future of our communities and our country, and I thank all those who encouraged me to run.  However, after careful thought, it's even more clear to me that my heart remains here in Los Angeles, in the neighborhoods and schools where I grew up, and with the diverse communities I have the honor of serving. Therefore, I will not seek the 34th Congressional seat.

We all must defend the values that make Los Angeles a beacon of hope for so many and fight for a future that lifts up every single Angeleno. For me personally, that means serving the people of the 4th Council District and working as hard as I can as their City Councilmember.

I love my job and I am so proud of the work we have accomplished so far. Since I was sworn in, we have tackled issues around over-development, expanded green space, homelessness, transportation, and public safety. There is much more work ahead of us, and I am looking forward to tackling those tough issues alongside my constituents.

Lastly, I am encouraged by the wide array of candidates that have expressed interest thus far and the many more who are still considering bids. With all the rich talent we have in Los Angeles, I am confident the 34th Congressional District will be led by a strong and progressive leader in the mold of Xavier Becerra.”