Terry Friedman to Retire From Legislature

State Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood) will retire from the state Legislature at the end of his current term, The Times has learned.

Friedman, whose 41st District runs from Santa Monica to Agoura Hills, is telling supporters he wants to become a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. He is expected to seek the seat of Superior Court Judge Barnet M. Cooperman, who is retiring. That seat will be on the June ballot.

An announcement is expected on Monday. Friedman could not be reached for comment.

Political consultant Joseph Cerrell, who is frequently hired by judges to run their campaigns, said late Friday that Friedman is consulting with family, supporters and political allies.

“He’s looking at it very seriously this weekend,” Cerrell said.

Friedman, 44, was elected to the Assembly in 1986 in the 43rd District in West Los Angeles, replacing State Controller Gray Davis. He was elected in 1992 in the newly drawn 41st District in a race against former Santa Monica Mayor Christine Reed.

Under term limits set by voters, he could have run for one more term before retiring from the Assembly.

Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) suggested that term limits could have been a factor in Friedman’s apparent decision to change careers.

“People are not going to pass up opportunities when they’re barred from running again for office,” Berman said.

Reed, who portrayed Friedman as weak on crime issues during the last election, had a different take. “More’s the pity for the criminal justice system,” Reed said.

In Sacramento, Friedman is known for his pursuit of anti-smoking legislation. He also carried legislation to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians.