LOCAL ELECTIONS / L.A. MAYOR : Woo Wins Endorsement of Prominent Latino Group

Councilman Michael Woo won the mayoral endorsement of the Mexican-American Political Assn. on Saturday, giving the apparent front-runner an important boost in his effort to demonstrate his appeal to the city’s diverse groups.

The decision of whom to support for mayor of Los Angeles presented a quandary to the members of MAPA, one of the oldest Latino political organizations in the state. Endorse Woo, an Asian-American who has reached out to the Latino community and is widely regarded as one of the strongest candidates in the race, or support one of the Latino candidates, notably Linda Griego or Julian Nava?

Ultimately, the 180 members who voted decided that Woo’s stance on issues of importance to the Latino community--including immigrants’ rights, creating jobs and curbing police abuse--eclipsed ethnic loyalty.

Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, members characterized the decision as a reflection of the political maturity of MAPA, an organization that was stagnant for much of the 1980s but has recently been revived.

“This takes us beyond ethnic politics,” said Gilbert Cedillo, a Woo supporter who is general manager of Local 660 of the Service Employees International Union.

“I think it’s important because it shows that the Latino community increasingly decides who to support not based on skin color, not based on ethnicity, but based on who is the best candidate for the city,” said Jorge R. Mancillas, a MAPA spokesman.

The councilman’s supporters were ecstatic after the vote, viewing the endorsement as additional evidence of Woo’s ability to craft a multiethnic coalition to lead Los Angeles in the 1990s.

“Latinos alone are not going to elect a mayor, so we have to develop coalitions,” said Gloria Romero, a Woo supporter. “If there was a Latino candidate who articulates the policies that Mike Woo articulates, I probably would have voted for that individual. But there wasn’t.”

Assemblyman Richard G. Polanco (D-Los Angeles) said: “I think in these times we need coalition-building that involves all ethnic groups, and that’s what Mike Woo has done.”

But supporters of the other candidates tended to cast the decision more as a function of Woo’s ability to organize support among MAPA’s new leadership.

“My feeling is that Woo won because he had a large organization here,” said Lindsey Haley, who chairs MAPA’s Westside chapter and was a supporter of Nava.

Nava, the former ambassador to Mexico who had addressed the group earlier amid considerable applause, had expressed hope of garnering MAPA’s endorsement. He declined to comment after members chose Woo.

Griego and Woo had left by the time MAPA’s membership made its decision. Officials released no numbers, saying only that Woo received a majority of the votes cast.

Of the 24 mayoral candidates, 10--including Woo, Griego, Nava and Councilman Nate Holden--addressed the MAPA nominating convention. Among those who did not attend, apparently recognizing their slim chances of snaring the endorsement, were Assemblyman Richard D. Katz (D-Panorama City), Councilman Joel Wachs, Richard J. Riordan and Nick Patsaouras.

Although MAPA has marginal direct electoral clout and does not boast a substantial political war chest or vast get-out-the-vote resources, its support has considerable symbolic importance and could be significant in the expected June mayoral runoff. MAPA’s endorsement is regarded as the most important of the various Latino organizations that make endorsements. A younger generation of leaders in business, labor and other fields has endeavored to revive the organization’s flagging influence.

Although Latinos represent about 40% of the city’s population, they account for only about 11% of registered voters. That is largely because Latinos are a young population and include many non-citizens.

Recognizing the realities of the area’s diverse Latino population, officials stress that MAPA is a Latino--not just a Mexican-American--organization.

Before casting ballots, MAPA members heard candidates courting their support. Many used words and phrases in Spanish, while others stressed their record of commitment to the Latino community.

“In a Woo administration, Latinos will be an integral part of economic development,” Woo vowed in an address frequently punctuated by applause. “I know that what is good for Los Angeles is also good for Latinos.”

But other candidates singled out Wood for criticism, saying he would be unable to provide the leadership that the city needs in troubled times.

“I worked in these causes before some of my distinguished colleagues were in grammar school,” Nava said. He portrayed himself as the Latino standard-bearer. “United we stand, divided we fall,” Nava said.

Holden, in an emotional speech, stressed his longtime association with Latino elected officials in Sacramento and Los Angeles.

“Black and brown together, we shall not be moved,” Holden said.

Griego, a restaurateur, promised to bring the city together. Like other candidates, she promised to help heal the wounds from last year’s riots. “There’s a lot of discouragement in this city, and I want to change that.”

Apart from the mayoral race, MAPA also endorsed the following City Council candidates: Mike Hernandez (District 1), Richard A. Alarcon (District 7), Conrado Terrazas (District 13) and Diane Middleton (District 15).