Garcetti is the current city council president and represents the 13th district, which includes Hollywood, Los Feliz and Koreatown.
"I'm running for mayor to get L.A. and our economy back on track. I'll bring focused leadership based on experience, practical know-how, and a willingness to embrace innovation," Garcetti said in a statement.
Garcetti is a fourth-generation Angeleno and was raised in the San Fernando Valley.
