Election for Finn’s City Council Seat Appears Probable

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday appeared close to calling a special election, possibly in early December, rather than appointing Councilman Howard Finn’s widow to fill the seat left vacant by the death of her husband.

Anne Finn did not rule out the possibility that she would seek election to the northeastern San Fernando Valley’s 1st District seat. “That seat is sacred to me,” she said. “Only someone of excellence may sit in that seat.”

Before council members indicated that they were leaning toward calling a special election, Anne Finn had said that she is interested in the position should the council choose to name a temporary appointee.

Finn made her remarks Wednesday after Councilman Richard Alatorre, chairman of the Charter and Elections Committee, said: “It is my best judgment that the will of the City Council is not for the appointment of anyone to fill the vacancy that was created by the untimely death of Howard Finn.”

The committee, after holding a 90-minute hearing attended by Anne Finn and about 50 supporters of her appointment, delayed for one week a formal vote on its recommendation to the full council. However, Alatorre and fellow committee members Michael Woo and Zev Yaroslavsky said they oppose an appointment.

Howard Finn, 68, a councilman since 1981, died Aug. 12 of a ruptured aorta. Anne Finn, 70, began calling council members last week, lobbying for an appointment. Her supporters argued that she is best suited to fill the vacancy because she and Councilman Finn always did everything together.

Alatorre, who had to run in a special election last year after the council refused to appoint him to the seat vacated by Councilman Arthur K. Snyder’s resignation, said, “The people should have the right to make a determination as to who they would like to represent them.”

Yaroslavsky, who won election in 1975 to fill a vacancy created by Ed Edelman’s election to the county Board of Supervisors, said, “Had the appointment process been employed in 1975, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

Timing Explained

City Clerk Elias Martinez told the committee that an election could be held as early as the first week in December if the council acts next week. The city Charter requires the council to give 90 days notice before holding an election. The council must hold a special election no later than the next regularly scheduled municipal election on April 14, 1987.

Supporters of Anne Finn’s appointment, most of whom live in the 1st District, told the committee that they need a representative on the council now.

Irene Tovar, a Mission Hills resident who chairs the Hispanic Caucus of the state Democratic Party, urged the council to call an election to allow for “a wide representation of candidates” in the increasingly Latino district.

Although Anne Finn attended Wednesday’s hearing, she did not testify. She said in an interview afterward, “I have to sort out my thoughts. I’m just a little drained.”

Among those considering running for the seat are former Councilman Bob Ronka, who preceded Finn as the 1st District councilman. Ronka gave up the seat in 1981 to run unsuccessfully for city attorney.

Elton (Skip) Michael, a Los Angeles police detective and former Republican state Senate candidate who lost to Finn in 1981 and 1985, has already announced his candidacy for the seat. Al Avila, a former Finn aide who now works for Alatorre, also has expressed interest in the seat.