First in a series

When Mehaul O’Leary was term-limited from the City Council a year and a half ago, he clearly was disappointed.

He did not want to leave.

On Monday evening at Stanley’s Wet Goods, a Venice Boulevard wine shop, Mr. O’Leary delivered a resounding response:

The former owner of Joxer Daly’s Irish pub launched his campaign for a seat on the sometimes-controversial state Board of Equalization, which was drained recently by the state Legislature.

He misses the political world.

Once it was his life.

He means for it to be again – permanently.

“I believe that I miss politics,” Mr. O’Leary said.

“I believe that I did a good job (in two terms) on the City Council.

“I was disappointed with term limits in Culver City. I thought then and I believe now that 12 years, three terms, is more appropriate.”

Mr. O’Leary teamed with Andy Weissman (who also was termed out) on a City Council subcommittee that recommended maxing out members after three terms, 12 years.

Trouble was, “once we were termed out, the new City Council did not bring term limits to the public for a vote,” said a let-down Mr. O’Leary.

What does he miss most about politics?

(To be continued)