Former Aide Says He’ll Seek Bernardi’s Seat : Politics: Sylmar attorney Raymond J. Magana becomes an early entrant in the City Council race.

Raymond J. Magana, a Sylmar lawyer and former aide to City Councilman Ernani Bernardi, announced Wednesday that he will seek to replace his retiring ex-boss in the 1993 city elections.

Magana, 37, became the first declared candidate in what could be a field of six or more contenders for the northeast San Fernando Valley council seat now held by the 80-year-old Bernardi, who has promised to leave City Hall at the end of this year.

Describing himself as a “pro-business, pro-police” moderate, Magana said he favors limiting new council members to two terms in office. If elected, he said, his top priorities would be to help create jobs and improve local schools, transportation, recreation and public safety.

A native of Mexico, Magana said he plans to represent all ethnic groups in the 7th District, where Latinos make up almost two-thirds of the population but only 31% of registered voters. Whites comprise 48% of registered voters.

“I’m very proud of being Latino. But I’m not just a Latino candidate. I’m a candidate for everyone,” said Magana, a Democrat. “I’m married to an Anglo. . . . One of the things that’s wrong with City Hall is that it has become too ethnocentric. I don’t think that’s good.”

At least six Latino community activists are considering the race. But some Latino leaders are worried that multiple Latino candidates could splinter the Hispanic vote and throw the race to Los Angeles Fire Capt. Lyle Hall, who forced Bernardi into a runoff in 1989 and plans to run again next year.

Magana said he has not asked Bernardi for an endorsement, saying his campaign will be based on enlisting community participation, not seeking endorsements from established political figures.

Bernardi said he has no plans to endorse anyone in the primary election but may if there is a runoff between the two top vote-getters. He said his decision not to endorse in the primary is no indication of dissatisfaction with Magana, who he described as a “very helpful employee.”