It’s only a mayoral election but it’s 2008 all over again. This time between Obama’s presidential campaign chef strategist, David Axelrod and Bill Clinton. The most recent flash point is Tuesday’s mayoral runoff election in Los Angeles, where former President Bill Clinton and David Axelrod have picked candidates in direct opposition to each other.

Axelrod stumped last week for the Jewish kid – Eric Garcetti, the current front-runner who might become Los Angeles’ youngest mayor in more than a century and who traveled to Iowa to volunteer for Obama in ’08. Bill Clinton endorsed and campaigned for Wendy Greuel, who worked in his administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development and supported Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, according to Politico

In an email to Politico, Axelrod emphasized that the split in Los Angeles wasn’t about “Clinton/Obama” rivalry — while noting, in one breath, the origins of their relationship date to the ’08 cycle, when Garcetti volunteered for Obama’s successful Iowa caucus operation.

“Garcetti is a guy I’ve known since Iowa. He’s a great guy. I like him. He asked for my help. I gave it,” Axelrod explained.

A Clinton spokesman declined to comment.