Galanter Backs Lake Over Yaroslavsky

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter on Wednesday bucked council tradition by reaffirming her support for Laura Lake over fellow Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky in the 5th District race.

“I owe Laura personally and politically a great debt,” Galanter said. Lake not only played a key role in Galanter’s successful campaign against Councilwoman Pat Russell two years ago but took Galanter’s mother into her home after Galanter was stabbed by an intruder at her home during the 1987 campaign.

Yaroslavsky, who supported Russell two years ago, said of Galanter Wednesday, “I understand her personal relationship with Laura, and I respect it.”

Galanter endorsed Lake, a fellow environmentalist, in September when Yaroslavsky was expected to give up his council seat to run for mayor. Yaroslavsky decided earlier this month not to challenge Mayor Tom Bradley, citing polls showing him to be unbeatable. Instead, he decided to seek reelection.

It was not known until Wednesday whether Galanter, who went to Antarctica the day after Yaroslavsky’s announcement, would continue to back Lake.

It is rare, but not unheard of, for members of the city’s small rather collegial body to endorse a challenger over an incumbent. Yaroslavsky, along with Councilman Marvin Braude, ignored council etiquette by endorsing Mike Woo in his successful 1985 campaign against Councilwoman Peggy Stevenson. Braude supported Galanter in 1987.

Speaking at a City Hall news conference, Galanter, who was elected to represent the Los Angeles International Airport area on a slow-growth platform, avoided criticism of Yaroslavsky. A major theme of Lake’s campaign is that Yaroslavsky has failed to slow development in the 5th District, a charge that Yaroslavsky denies.

Also challenging Yaroslavsky in the April election are Jack McGrath, who managed Yaroslavsky’s first successful campaign in 1975 and served as the councilman’s chief deputy; urban planner Ryan Snyder and artist Henry Hill. Steve Saltzman, a former Bradley aide and co-chairman of Yaroslavsky’s 1985 reelection campaign, dropped out of the race last week.