ByABC7.com staff

Thursday, February 5, 2026 3:43PM

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Austin Beutner, former superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District, is withdrawing from the race to be the next mayor of L.A., he announced Thursday.

Beutner’s decision comes after the death of his 22-year-old daughter last month. Her cause of death has not been released.

“My family has experienced the unimaginable loss of our beloved daughter Emily. She was a magical person, the light of our lives. We are still in mourning,” he said in a statement. “A successful campaign, and more importantly the job of Mayor, requires someone who is committed 24/7 to the job. Family has always come first for me. That is where I need to be at this time.”

Beutner served as LAUSD Superintendent from 2018 to 2021.

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