alanddayshaaustin During a short, informal but emotional presentation in a Bixby Knolls sportswear shop, two-term Long Beach City Council member Rae Gabelich announced Tuesday morning that she will not run a write-in campaign for a third. Gabelich instead declared her endorsement of Al Austin to take her place as the 8th district’s representative.

Austin is running against Lillian Kawasaki and Rivera.  The primary is April 10. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will oppose each other in a runoff.

“It has been an honor to represent the neighborhoods of the 8th district, and I am proud of the accomplishments we have been able to achieve together. It has been a great eight years,” Gabelich said, her voice breaking and her eyes filling with tears. After a deep breath, she continued. “It is very bittersweet to think that my time on the council is nearing an end.

“However, I believe that now is the time for new leadership on the city council to work for issues that are important to everyone in this district and I am confident that Al Austin is the leader that can best represent us, to keep the focus on our neighborhoods.”

Gabelich cited Austin’s 18 years as a Long Beach resident and eight years as a homeowner in the 8th district, his involvement in local organizations and projects—an advisory board member for Midnight Basketball, the chairman of Academic Uprise, a board member of the YMCA—as well as his positions in support of funding a police academy and stronger staffing of law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Long Beach’s police and firefighters’ unions have endorsed Austin.

“It is an honor to receive Councilmember Gabelich’s endorsement,” said Austin during brief remarks. “It is a pivotal time for the 8th district and for Long Beach as a whole. I believe the 8th district is a microcosm of the city, diverse in every way. Every issue in the 8th district resonates in the rest of Long Beach. And I believe preserving the safety and integrity of neighborhoods is a top priority.”

Gabelich’s introduction did not mention that Austin has run for the Long Beach City Council once before—in 2007, when he was endorsed by Mayor Bob Foster against Dee Andrews in the 6th district. Austin rented an apartment in the 6th district to establish the residence necessary to run for its council seat.

In a brief interview with GreaterLongBeach.com, the topic of his so-called “carpetbagger candidacy” was basis of the first question put to Austin. He was prepared for it.

“My intent when I ran in 6th district was to help out in an area that I believe needed help,” Austin said. “Many of the issues that plagued the 6th district then now plague the 8th district. The experience was very helpful. I’m a better candidate now because of it.”