Hayden May Assist Galanter’s Campaign

Assemblyman Tom Hayden, a growing power in Santa Monica Westside Democratic politics, said Friday that he is contemplating branching out into Los Angeles with a push--either directly or indirectly--on behalf of City Council challenger Ruth Galanter.

Hayden, speaking in an interview, said one option is establishing a so-called “independent” campaign committee in the 6th District council race. The committee would focus either on support of Galanter’s slow-growth candidacy or opposition to the reelection of 17-year incumbent Pat Russell, the City Council president, Hayden said.

The purpose of such a committee, Hayden acknowledged, would be to “spend more money” on behalf of Galanter. Money raised by an independent committee would not count against the $500-a-person ceiling for contributions to council candidates.

Hayden emphasized that he had not made up his mind about the independent committee. Other options, he said, would be to endorse Galanter, hospitalized after a vicious knife-attack Wednesday, or “I could just stay out of it.”

The Santa Monica assemblyman has known Galanter since their 1960s days as students at the University of Michigan. She said recently that her path has crossed Hayden’s periodically since then, particularly in environmental causes.

Some political observers in the district have wondered whether a show of support by Hayden would prove a liability for the insurgent Galanter. In some circles, Hayden’s anti-war radicalism still stirs deep emotions.

However, Hayden is popular in parts of the 6th District, although some of Hayden’s backers have split their loyalties in the election. Former Hayden campaign manager Michael L. Dieden, for instance, is an active supporter of Russell.