After Defeat, Gonzalez Eyes Molina’s Assembly Seat

Larry Gonzalez, who lost to Assemblywoman Gloria Molina in the new 1st District Los Angeles City Council race Tuesday, is trying to drum up support to run for her Eastside Assembly seat.

A Los Angeles school board member, Gonzalez is one of five potential Democratic candidates scrambling for support even before Molina, a Democrat, has resigned her 56th Assembly District office.

The only officially announced candidate so far is City of Commerce Mayor James B. Dimas.

Among other potential candidates are Alma Martinez, a former Molina aide who managed her successful council campaign and who has expressed an interest in the Assembly seat; Sandra Serrano Sewell, a Latino activist who supported Gonzalez’s council bid, and Eddie Diaz, a former legislative aide to several Latino legislators.

Gov. George Deukmejian will call a special election to replace Molina. He has 14 days after she resigns her lower house seat to call a special election.

Gonzalez might have the greatest name recognition because of the heated council contest and the fact that he is on the school board.

“I am being encouraged by many people to run,” said Gonzalez, who would have to move into the district, which includes Boyle Heights, and the cities of Vernon, Maywood and Commerce. Gonzalez lives near the district, but not in it.

“I would have to relocate,” he said, “but having been born and raised in Boyle Heights and representing the community on the school board, it’s an option I am looking at.”

The district voter registration was an overwhelming 77.4% Democratic to 13.6% Republican for last year’s general election when Molina easily won reelection.

The race to replace Molina could become another battleground between rival factions within the Latino community.

But Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles), who supported Gonzalez in the council election, said he hopes Molina and Rep. Edward R. Roybal (D-Los Angeles) “can come up with one candidate we can all support.” Torres’ Senate district includes the 56th Assembly District.

Bob Alaniz, Molina’s spokesman, said the assemblywoman is “looking at all the potential candidates and really doesn’t have a favorite yet.”

Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento), campaign strategist for Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), said he seriously doubts that the Democratic caucus will endorse any candidate in the race.