Northeast Valley : Council Candidates Tout Endorsements

Los Angeles City Council candidates Richard Alarcon and Lyle Hall played endorsement one-upmanship Wednesday, touting their support from various groups and elected officials.

Alarcon opened the exchange when his campaign released an endorsement by the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, a collection of 10 to 15 local Democratic clubs.

Hall responded by citing endorsements he has received from both Democratic and Republican elected officials.

The two men are battling in the June 2 runoff to succeed octogenarian incumbent Ernani Bernardi, who is retiring from the 7th Council District seat after an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Los Angeles. The district represents the northeast Valley.

Alarcon, a onetime aide to Mayor Tom Bradley, won the blessing of the Valley Democratic Party on Monday night when its executive board voted to back him over Hall, a fellow Democrat.

Lois Williams, first vice chair of the Democratic volunteer organization, said the board chose Alarcon because he “will better represent the 7th District.”

“Both Lyle Hall and Richard spoke and the feeling was that Richard is the better candidate. That’s no detriment to Lyle. It’s just that (Alarcon) can represent the district to better advantage,” she said.

Hall’s campaign manager, Bob Stiens, replied that voters will choose a candidate based on qualifications and ability.

But he was quick to cite a string of elected officials who back Hall, a Los Angeles Fire Department captain.

They included Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman (D-Van Nuys), Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood) and City Controller Rick Tuttle, also a Democrat.

On the Republican side, Hall is backed by Los Angeles City Council members Hal Bernson, who represents the northwest Valley, and Joan Milke Flores, who represents South Los Angeles and the Harbor area.