LOCAL ELECTIONS / 30TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT : Lozano, Picked by Roybal as Successor, Quits Contest

In an abrupt turnabout, the man whom retiring Democratic Rep. Edward R. Roybal had handpicked as his successor said Tuesday he was dropping out of the race because of family considerations.

Henry Lozano, Roybal’s 58-year-old chief of staff, said he made his decision last weekend and called friends and supporters to tell them that he was not running for the 30th Congressional District seat.

“Well, my wife’s mother is very ill and there have been other things, including flying back and forth from Washington all the time,” Lozano said. “And look, I’ll be 59 years old in October and I’m going against my own rules. It’ll be eight to 10 years before I can get a good (committee) assignment in Congress. A younger candidate would be better.

“I mean, it’s a candidate’s dream. I’ve got endorsements. I was getting some money. I know I’m disappointing a lot of people. But there’s more to life than running for public office.”

News of the exit of Lozano--a chief strategist of Gloria Molina’s successful bid for the county Board of Supervisors last year--caught many who had lined up behind his candidacy off guard.

“I was surprised by his decision,” Democratic Assemblyman Xavier Becerra of Monterey Park said.

The race had the makings of a confrontation between opposing Latino political camps led by Molina and Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre. Lozano’s decision left Molina and her allies scrambling to find a replacement to run against Los Angeles school board member Leticia Quezada, an ally of Alatorre who has announced her candidacy.

Another Alatorre ally, Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles), has said he is interested in the race but has made no final decision. The filing deadline is March 6.

So far, three people--Becerra, Molina chief of staff Alma Martinez and Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Hernandez--have been mentioned as possible contenders who could run with the blessings of Roybal and Molina. Each of them Tuesday expressed interest in the race.

But Hernandez made the strongest comments about a possible candidacy.

“The reality is, you have to look at the field and decide who can best serve the people,” he said. But when pressed, he added, “My gut tells me I might be running for Congress.” Hernandez also said that he still needs to consult with others before making a final decision.

Hernandez, 38, was endorsed by Roybal and Molina in his successful bit last August for the 1st District council seat that Molina gave up when she won election to the Board of Supervisors.

Alatorre said he thought there was no need for Molina or her allies to put up a Latino candidate against Quezada because he believes the ultimate goal should be to ensure that a Latino wins Roybal’s seat.

Roybal’s retirement announcement two weeks ago set off a scramble among potential candidates. Lozano, Roybal’s longtime chief of staff, was immediately endorsed by the congressman, Molina, Hernandez, Becerra and Rep. Esteban Torres (D-Pico Rivera) at the meeting where Roybal announced his decision.

The lines of the 30th Congressional District were recently redrawn and it now encompasses portions of Highland Park, Glassell Park, Lincoln Heights, Echo Park, Silver Lake and East Hollywood. Latinos account for 61% of the district’s residents but only 34% of its registered voters.