Crime, Economy Dominating Council Races : Politics: Incumbents are getting the blame for the economic downturn and growing violence. The upcoming elections have the potential to realign voting blocs.

A clutch of challengers are pursuing three Long Beach City Council incumbents, hoping to dislodge them in an April 14 primary election that could more sharply define the council’s somewhat hazy voting blocs.

Four incumbents are up for reelection, but one escaped opposition. Vice Mayor Jeffrey A. Kellogg is slipping into his second term without challenge, while his colleagues are being pounded from a variety of directions.

The last four years have not been easy ones in Long Beach. Crime exploded, local gang warfare made the national news, the Navy--a fixture since World War II--announced plans to close the local station and the recession gnawed away at city income.

The incumbents are getting the blame, with conservative and liberal challengers chastising the council for a lack of leadership. Crime and the economy are dominating the election debate, as councilmen and their opponents sound much the same themes. They want more police on the streets, greater efforts to woo businesses and budget cuts--but don’t necessarily know what to cut.

The races hold the potential for strengthening the council’s factions. For instance, if conservative Charles G. (Jerry) Westlund unseats the more liberal Thomas Clark, incumbent in the 4th District, that will strengthen the conservatives’ hand. But if challenger Alan Lowenthal grabs the 2nd District from incumbent Wallace Edgerton, the more liberal element of the council would get a boost.

To avoid a runoff in June, a candidate in each of the districts must win at least 50% of the votes.

That will be especially difficult in the 6th District, where four hopefuls are trying to defeat Councilman Clarence Smith. There are two challengers for Edgerton’s seat and three for Clark’s.

* RELATED STORIES: A look at the candidates and the district races in Long Beach. J2