Group Aims to Recall Villaraigosa

Los Angeles City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa could soon be fighting off an unusual recall effort even as he is campaigning to unseat Mayor James K. Hahn next March.

One of Villaraigosa’s constituents announced Wednesday that he and four others planned to begin a recall process Friday because Villaraigosa broke his pledge to serve out his council term.

“We believe Mr. Villaraigosa must be held accountable for reneging on his promise to serve a full four-year term,” Eliseo Villanueva said.

Villaraigosa unseated Councilman Nick Pacheco in a bitterly fought 2003 campaign in the 14th District. During the campaign, to allay concerns that he would run for mayor again in 2005, Villaraigosa told voters he would finish out his term.

When Villaraigosa announced plans earlier this year to challenge Hahn to a rematch of their 2001 race, he went to great lengths to show that many of his constituents supported his decision.

If elected mayor, Villaraigosa would have to give up his council seat.

The councilman and former Assembly speaker was unavailable for comment Wednesday, a spokesman said.

However, his campaign strategist, Ace Smith, said the councilman was not worried. “To file one of these things is about as easy as pouring breakfast cereal,” Smith said of the recall announcement.

Getting a recall on the ballot will not be so easy.

Villanueva and his allies must collect more than 11,000 valid signatures, or 15% of registered voters in Villaraigosa’s East Los Angeles council district.

Villanueva’s announcement said that he and his allies also planned to initiate discussions with prospective candidates who have expressed interest in running for Villaraigosa’s council seat.

Villanueva’s announcement comes 100 years after Los Angeles voters became the first in California to recall a city councilman -- a politician who had been targeted by labor unions for awarding a city printing contract to The Times, even though other newspapers had submitted lower bids.