Decision ’93 / A Look at the Elections in Los Angeles County : Los Angeles City Council : 9TH DISTRICT : Walters Faces Newcomer, 2nd Fight Against Predecessor’s Aide

Two years after winning one of the closest City Council races in memory, Rita Walters is locked in another battle to represent one of the city’s most politically significant--and culturally diverse--districts, the 9th.

Just as before, the former educator is expected to face her toughest challenge from a longtime council deputy, Bob Gay. He virtually grew up in City Hall as an aide to Gilbert Lindsay, the late 9th District councilman.

But there the similarities end between this race and the 1991 contest in which Walters defeated Gay by 76 votes.

This time she faces not only Gay but another aggressive and well-funded challenger, businessman Donald Lumpkin. And she has lost support from downtown businesses.

On the other hand, she has the advantage of incumbency, and some of Gay’s supporters have shifted to her. Her blunt style and street-level politics have earned her the backing of many local ministers who two years ago supported Gay, who is a minister.

“People thought of it . . . as sort of a classic rematch between Rita and Bob,” said Larry Irvin, president of the Irvin-Hampton Co., a public relations and political consulting firm. “But the perception on the street is that Bob has not been successful in raising issues or raising resources sufficient to make it that.”

That is not to say the race is over. Many observers say Walters may fall short of the majority vote she needs to avoid a June runoff.

Her district is politically complex, stretching from Chinatown to South-Central Los Angeles and including downtown. Such an ethnically diverse group of poor and working-class residents makes for a clash of constituencies whose votes may be up for grabs.

And Lumpkin is a political neophyte whose background in finance has proved appealing to some voters and business leaders looking for change.

Still, the race seems Walters’ to lose. Her campaign manager, Felicia Bragg, said: “The significant difference this time is that Rita is enormously popular in the district and there is tremendous word of mouth about what she has been doing.”

Walters took to City Hall the same blunt, combative style that marked her 12 years on the Los Angeles school board.

Just as school board member Walters flung herself into debates over desegregation, Councilwoman Walters concentrates fiercely on battles over downtown development, permits for new liquor stores and other issues.

With a lecturing manner that can grate on colleagues and constituents, Walters often blames her predecessor, Lindsay, for problems. His preoccupation with downtown businesses, she says, led to neglect of the rest of the district.

“Downtown certainly is an extremely important part of the city, but it is not all of the district,” Walters said.

She has found it far easier than her predecessor to disagree with downtown business leaders on developments and other Civic Center priorities. She has drawn praise for independence, along with accusations that she is an obstacle to progress.

“There seems to be a sense in the business community that she is anti-business . . . and that perception is accurate about Rita,” said a Walters supporter with downtown business ties. “She is very suspicious of everyone.”

The Central City Assn., a business group, decided not to make any endorsements in the race, even though it supported her two years ago.

“We discussed the race at some length and decided, because of divergent views expressed within our leadership, not to endorse,” association President Don F. McIntyre said.

Some see the decision as signifi-cant proof that Walters cannot work with the business interests that are vital to inner-city rebirth.

Others view it as being unimportant given Walters’ other endorsements.

Among her supporters are Mayor Tom Bradley and City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, community activist Danny Bakewell of the Brotherhood Crusade, and many ministers, including the Rev. E. V. Hill, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, who supported Gay in 1991.

Gay, a 40-year-old City Hall veteran, contends that Walters’ combativeness has hurt the district and residents by discouraging business investments. He says that his time in the district and knowledge of City Hall will help make the bureaucracy work for voters.

“You get action by getting seven other votes on the council,” Gay said, referring to Walters’ frequent battles on the council. “And the current incumbent has not been able to do that.”

In 16 years with Councilman Lindsay, Gay rose from a 22-year-old aide to being his heir-apparent. His 1991 defeat has left even some supporters wondering whether his chance at the seat has passed.

Adding to the uncertainty is Lumpkin, 42, who has waged an aggressive campaign as a can-do political outsider.

The president of his own financial services firm, Lumpkin has emphasized his business background. His promise of more police protection, better services for the elderly and more recreation facilities for youths hinge on his ability to improve the district’s economic climate.

The Candidates Bob Gay, 40, most recently was a legislative deputy for Councilman Nate Holden. He was deputy to the late Councilman Gilbert Lindsay for 16 years. Gay, who attended Cal State L.A., is married and has three children.

Donald Alvin Lumpkin, 42, is an investment banker, president and chief executive officer of Don Lumpkin & Associates. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cal State Dominquez Hills. He is married and has three children.

Rita Walters, 62, was elected to the council in 1991 to fill the vacancy created by Gilbert Lindsay’s death. She has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., and a master’s degree in administration from UCLA. She is divorced and has three children.

Leading Issues Business development: Walters’ opponents and some downtown business leaders say her brusque style and refusal to compromise have offended builders and hurt economic development. She blames district business problems and joblessness largely on the recession and neglect. She says she must attend to the needs of the entire district: “Downtown certainly is an extremely important part of the city and district, but it is not all of the district.” Gay says he would create a District 9 business development fund to provide seed money for projects. Lumpkin says he would make business development a top priority by hiring a former Community Development Department staffer for his council office.

Crime: All candidates say that the city needs more police; all support a ballot measure to raise taxes to add 1,000 officers. Walters wants more foot patrols, particularly near city housing developments and cites her efforts to block new liquor stores. Lumpkin calls for reorganizing the Police Department to move officers from desks to the streets. Gay wants more police patrols and says the city should build new recreation facilities to divert youth from crime and gangs.

Budget deficit: Gay and Lumpkin endorse a trash collection fee that would generate millions of dollars. Gay says it should be based on how much trash a household produces. Walters will not endorse or denounce the fee: “Everything’s on the table.” Gay calls for leasing Ontario airport to a private operator. Lumpkin wants to reorganize city government for efficiency.

Affordable housing: Walters says she has made affordable housing a top priority and cites the Villa Esperanza apartments and 40-unit Roberta Stevens Villas. Opponents say there is a critical shortage of low- and moderate-income housing, that the district’s council office must do more. Gay says the city should seek areas for development, not wait for developers. He says the city should do more to underwrite housing costs. Lumpkin, citing construction costs, would focus on rehabilitation.