Hahn Said to Be Reconsidering Reelection Bid

Ailing Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn is reconsidering his announced plans to seek another four-year term, a source close to the supervisor said Thursday.

“He is seriously considering what he wants to do,” said the source, who asked not to be named. “He wants to do what is best for the people.” Asked if that meant Hahn is reconsidering his decision to run again, the source said, “That’s exactly what he is considering. He has told close friends.”

It has been rumored that the 68-year-old Hahn might be wavering in his decision to seek a record 10th term because of his frustration over his slower-than-expected recovery from a debilitating stroke last January. But Hahn, who remains confined to a wheelchair and on a limited work schedule, has said publicly that he will seek reelection.

Repeated Intention to Run

Hahn repeated that assertion to reporters on Thursday, saying: “I’ve told a thousand people Kenny Hahn is going to run again. President Roosevelt ran the country in a wheelchair. If God wants me to be a supervisor, I will.”

But the supervisor also told reporters he may have more to say about his political plans next week.

And, according to the source close to the supervisor, Hahn has indicated that he will make a final decision between now and Feb. 15, when the candidate filing period for the June supervisors’ election opens.

Hahn’s press deputy, Dan Wolf, would neither confirm nor deny whether Hahn is re-evaluating his political plans. “He’s interested in doing what’s best for his constituents,” he said. “That is the guiding factor in all of his decisions.”

The report from the source close to Hahn came the same day that The Times reported that two prominent black ministers and Hahn allies in the heavily minority south Los Angeles County 2nd District said that they believe he should reconsider.

However, this source stressed that the supervisor had begun to reconsider his plans earlier and not as a result of Thursday’s Times story.

Welcome News

The Rev. Cecil Murray, pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles and one of those who said it is time for Hahn to reconsider running again, welcomed the latest news and praised Hahn.

“If he, in fact, is reviewing his decision, that would be all that I personally would ask. . . . I am sure he will make the right decision.

“And if he decides to run, I would be among the first to support him,” Murray said.

Black leaders have become increasingly concerned that Hahn, who has missed about half of the supervisor meetings since returning to his duties in August, may not be physically up to the task.

They are particularly worried that should he run and be reelected, Hahn might not be able to complete another four-year term. Under the County Charter, that would give Gov. George Deukmejian, a conservative Republican, a rare chance to install someone who shares his philosophy in the post until the next general election.

Mark Ridley Thomas, head of the Los Angeles chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said: “It is time . . . I think it is wise that more consideration be given to (Hahn’s decision because) the consequences loom rather large (if he is not) able to serve out a full term.”

Some observers speculate that if that situation arose, Deukmejian, in consultation with the Republican conservative majority on the Board of Supervisors, might select a black businessman. One name that has been mentioned is J. Steven Rhodes, a Republican and former government affairs aide to President Reagan. Supervisor Pete Schabarum urged Rhodes to run against Hahn in the last election but Rhodes declined.

Should Hahn decide not to run, it would doubtless set off the biggest, toughest and perhaps most expensive local political contest of the year. Although the population of the 2nd District is changing and is not as heavily black or politically homogeneous as it once was, black leaders see it as a battleground for the future of top-level black political leadership in the county.

Rep. Julian Dixon (D-Los Angeles), a black who represents the relatively affluent, middle-class Southwest section of the city, would be a leading contender, with access to a large fund-raising base. He is a member of the influential Westside political network headed by Democratic Reps. Henry Waxman and Howard Berman.

In an interview from his Washington office Thursday, Dixon said, “If the seat is vacant, I will definitely run (but) I have no desire or interest in running for supervisor if Kenny Hahn decides to seek reelection.”

Another popular candidate might be Assemblywoman Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), who represents the South-Central area of the city. Waters is a close ally of Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and his potent political organization and fund-raising power.

Waters’ name has been repeatedly mentioned by black leaders as a potential candidate. But through a spokeswoman, Waters said Thursday that she is “absolutely unwilling to talk about (Hahn’s) district until the seat is vacated.”