Braude Backs Galanter for Council : Opposes Russell, Citing Her Record on 6th District Development

Thumbing his nose at City Hall protocol, Los Angeles City Councilman Marvin Braude announced his opposition Tuesday to the reelection of Council President Pat Russell and his endorsement of her 6th District challenger, Ruth Galanter.

Braude has often tangled with Russell over issues related to growth and development, and it has been rumored for several weeks that he would endorse Galanter, who comes to the race with a history of activism on behalf of environmental causes, especially those involving the California coast.

“Ruth Galanter is a former regional coastal commissioner with a strong commitment to preserving our precious resources. . . . She cares about our city’s environment and she cares about our local neighborhoods and our way of life,” Braude said.

For Galanter, in her first campaign, Braude’s endorsement is her most prestigious so far.

Although it is unusual for council members to come out against one of their colleagues, Braude did it once before. Two years ago, he backed Michael Woo’s successful campaign to unseat incumbent Councilwoman Peggy Stevenson. This time, Braude is taking on a more formidable figure in Russell--a 17-year veteran with close ties to Mayor Tom Bradley. If Russell is reelected, she could make Braude’s life politically uncomfortable.

2 on the Fence

Braude may not be alone in his endorsement of Galanter; two of his colleagues, Ernani Bernardi and Joel Wachs, are still on the fence. Tuesday, as Braude passed Bernardi moments after announcing his endorsement, he slapped Bernardi on the shoulder and said, “Now it’s your turn.”

Braude is probably the council’s most constant foe of big development, and his endorsement of Galanter, who is running on an anti-development platform, refocuses the campaign on its original theme--Russell’s record on commercial growth.

In recent days, the campaign has taken some bizarre turns, beginning last Wednesday with a brutal attack on Galanter that landed her in critical condition in UCLA Medical Center. After a brief hiatus, when people waited to see if Galanter would recover and go on with her campaign, both of which she is doing, the race resumed only to trip over Assemblyman Tom Hayden and his political baggage.

A campaign that began as a referendum on growth, congestion and pollution suddenly was being waylaid by unexpected questions. Would Galanter, the victim of a brutal crime, be a beneficiary of a vast sympathy vote or would Galanter, the Venice liberal, be vulnerable to guilt by association with the long-haired ghosts of Hayden’s political past?

Braude had other matters on his mind, however. Bitter ever since Russell cast a critical vote three years ago in favor of Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s bid to drill for oil in his district, Braude spent as much time Tuesday castigating the council president as he did praising Galanter.

“Pat Russell has become one of the developers’ best friends at City Hall,” he said. “She has repeatedly supported high-density commercial overdevelopment in the Westchester and Venice areas,” Braude said, referring to two neighborhoods in Russell’s district.

Praise in the Past

Braude acknowledged that he had in the past praised Russell’s efforts to reduce the size of Playa Vista, the largest development planned for her district. He said he did not know at the time, however, that Russell later would support several other large developments in the Westchester area.

“I had no idea at the time what was coming,” he said.

Braude said his decision to endorse Galanter had nothing to do with the attack on her last week. He said he encouraged her to run last year. He said he had invited her to his house for breakfast to discuss campaign strategy the morning she was assaulted.

Show of Strength

Immediately after Braude’s announcement, Russell rallied with an impromptu show of strength. Flanked by six council members, Russell told reporters, “I wanted you to see some of my supporters.” They included council members Hal Bernson, Joan Flores, Gloria Molina, Joy Picus, Woo and Zev Yaroslavsky.

Of Braude, Russell said: “Marvin Braude has never endorsed me for any of my elections, and I have always done very well and I will do well again. When this is over, Marvin and I will get together and repair the damage.”