Rob Reiner backs Wendy Greuel to succeed Waxman in Congress

Prominent director Rob Reiner, an activist for environmental and early childhood education causes, on Monday endorsed former Los Angeles Controller Wendy Greuel for an open congressional seat.

“I know a thing or two about advocates, and Wendy Greuel is the advocate we need in Congress today,” Reiner said in a statement released by the Greuel campaign.

“Her work with [former L.A. Mayor] Tom Bradley on homelessness, the Clinton administration on housing and her advocacy on behalf of the creative industry at Dreamworks, it’s a three-for,” Reiner added.

Greuel is one of the better-known candidates vying to succeed Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills), who announced Jan. 30 that he will step down after four decades in Congress.

On Sunday, she lost a chance to compete next month for the California Democratic Party’s endorsement to state Sen. Ted Lieu of Torrance. Lieu outpolled her at a gathering of local party activists, 59 votes to 7, with 14 delegates voting for no endorsement.

Reiner, also an actor and a founder of Castle Rock Entertainment, is well-known for his political activism. He led the drive in California to provide government money for early childhood education programs and fought to preserve the sprawling Ahmanson Ranch from development.

Greuel said Reiner shares her priorities.

“Getting an endorsement like this is huge,” she said, “but what makes it even better is that in comes from the director of ‘Spinal Tap.’”

Filing opened Monday in California races. Because there will be no incumbent running in Waxman’s 33rd Congressional District, the filing period for this race has been extended to March 12.

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Twitter: @jeanmerl

jean.merl@latimes.com