Wendy Greuel will run for Waxman seat in Congress -- and move

Greuel with Bill Clinton at Langer's Delicatessen during the 2013 mayoral race. Gary Leonard photo.

That was fast. Wendy Greuel today posted her first tweet since June 2 — to announce that her waiting period to think about running for the empty Henry Waxman seat is over. She's in.

I am going to fight like Congressman Henry Waxman on issues important to our families. #CD33

— Wendy Greuel (@Wendy_Greuel) January 31, 2014

One wrinkle — she does not live in the 33rd congressional district. That's not a legal requirement, but residency and the appearance of being an outsider certainly can become a political issue. Greuel, a longtime resident of the San Fernando Valley, told KPCC this afternoon that she will move.

"What I knew instantly in my gut is that I wanted to serve the people of the 33rd district and to be able to go to Congress and fight for the families here and the residents of these communities," Greuel told KPCC. "And so I've made the decision in a quick manner today to run for Congress."

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Before Greuel's announcement, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Matt Inzeo predicted the contest to succeed Waxman will be a long ballot and an expensive race. "There's 40 years of pent-up ambition," he said, "and all the money in the world."

State Sen. Ted Lieu, who is from the South Bay end of the sizable district, is expected to announce his intentions tomorrow. There may be other Democrats who get into the race. Independents Marianne Williamson and Brent Roske are already running.