Long Beach Mayor Won't Seek Re-election to a Third Term

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, the former Southern California Edison president and handily re-elected incumbent, announced Tuesday that he will not seek a third term. Now that the city of nearly half a million is out of financial crisis, he said, he is bowing out with the proverbial wish to "spend more time with family." But he also acknowledged wanting to focus on other potential "opportunities." 

Long Beach City Council member Gerrie Schipske, one of the few city leaders who has openly criticized Foster on some issues and an announced mayoral candidate, praised his commitment to Long Beach.
 
"I was never running against Foster - I was, and am, running for mayor," added Schipske, who represents the fifth district on the East side. "This changes nothing except putting me as the front runner. I do hope Mr. Foster will use his city and business experience at the state or federal level because he has a lot to offer and it would be a great advantage for Long Beach." 

Third District Council Member Gary DeLong said: "Mayor Foster's skills and experience are of tremendous value.  I think it likely there will be many organizations interested in taking advantage of his talent."

While Foster did not mention any future election bids, his pre-Long Beach career was as  a longtime Sacramento lobbyist and political insider who may be interested in higher office. In part, he wrote:

"Most of you know I cannot resist using Roman quotes or analogies; so very much like Cincinnatus in ancient Rome, I believe I was called to public service to lend my talents at a critical juncture. Also, like Cincinnatus, when the crisis has passed and there is a return to more “normal” times, one should, like him, return to private and family pursuits. Thus, it is not without some regret that I announce that I will not seek a third term as your Mayor. While I love the office I hold and feel no small sense of obligation to continue, I also need time to pursue private opportunities. I would like to have real time to write, study and most importantly, spend time with my family.

"Many people have urged me to continue and encouraged me that I can do all these things in a final term. I thank each of you for that continued trust and counsel. But in truth, the job of Mayor as I know it requires and deserves full attention and focus. You cannot do the job well if you are distracted by either private pursuits or a vision of the next political office you want to hold. It is my obligation to the people of this great City to make that honest assessment."

His full announcement follows:

MAYOR BOB FOSTER STATEMENT REGARDING THIRD MAYORAL TERM July 16, 2013 Long Beach has made tremendous progress over the last seven years – the results are visible everywhere, from the lowest crime rates in a generation, to vibrant private sector activity and renewed focus on improving the quality of our air, coastal waters and recreational activities. Perhaps the best testament to that progress can be seen in how well our City has weathered the largest financial crisis in nearly a century and come through those extraordinary times stronger. Absent the fiscal discipline of the past seven years, we would have a large budget gap that would consume us. Instead, Long Beach will have a genuine budget surplus beginning in October to move forward with the important work of providing services and enhancing our physical infrastructure.I love this City. I am honored to be your Mayor. I have performed to the best of my abilities during a very difficult time. Most of you know I cannot resist using Roman quotes or analogies; so very much like Cincinnatus in ancient Rome, I believe I was called to public service to lend my talents at a critical juncture. Also, like Cincinnatus, when the crisis has passed and there is a return to more “normal” times, one should, like him, return to private and family pursuits. Thus, it is not without some regret that I announce that I will not seek a third term as your Mayor. While I love the office I hold and feel no small sense of obligation to continue, I also need time to pursue private opportunities. I would like to have real time to write, study and most importantly, spend time with my family. Many people have urged me to continue and encouraged me that I can do all these things in a final term. I thank each of you for that continued trust and counsel. But in truth, the job of Mayor as I know it requires and deserves full attention and focus. You cannot do the job well if you are distracted by either private pursuits or a vision of the next political office you want to hold. It is my obligation to the people of this great City to make that honest assessment. None of this is meant to say my work here is done; I have one year nearly to the day in my term and I plan to be vigorous in serving the remainder of my tenure giving you full measure until my last hour in office. To everyone in this City, thank you for the continued opportunity to serve you and for your help and understanding when it was needed over these years. A special thank you to my wife and your First Lady, Nancy, for all her help in making our City a better place. Thank you as well to the City staff and my staff in the Mayor’s Office for their energy and devotion. God bless you and God bless our great City of Long Beach.