State Senator to Run for Valley Seat

State Sen. Herschel Rosenthal, a Democrat who has represented a mostly Westside district for two decades, announced Monday that he will run this spring for the Van Nuys-based Senate seat now held by David Roberti.

Rosenthal’s decision was quickly endorsed by a long list of elected officials, including Roberti himself, but also damned as a galling example of political imperialism by others who cited the senator’s lack of experience in the Valley.

The 75-year-old Rosenthal, a West Los Angeles resident, said in an interview that he dropped his plans to retire later this year after becoming convinced that an experienced lawmaker was just what was needed to help the San Fernando Valley get back on its feet after the Jan. 17 earthquake.

“I’ve seen too many new members come to Sacramento who may have new ideas, but who don’t know how to work the system,” Rosenthal said. “The Valley needs advocates in Sacramento who will fight for its survival and who have the legislative experience to get things done. This is no time for on-the-job training.”

Rosenthal’s surprise decision to run for the 20th District seat was endorsed by the key leadership of the political organization run by U. S. Reps. Howard Berman (D-Panorama City) and Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles), by state Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman (D-Van Nuys), whose district makes up half of the Roberti district, and by Los Angeles City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, now running for the county Board of Supervisors.

But Rosenthal’s decision was criticized by others as yet another attempt by carpetbagging Sacramento insiders to impose themselves on Valley residents. Critics likened the Rosenthal decision to Roberti’s own controversial move to the Valley--from Hollywood--in 1992.

Roberti now faces an April 12 recall spawned in large part by anger over the senator taking over the Valley-based 20th District seat--even as he resides in Hollywood.

“It’s Roberti revisited,” complained Dolores White, a veteran Republican activist and leader of the Roberti recall movement.

As an outsider, Roberti found it difficult to win election in his adopted, Valley-based district in 1992 and spent more than $2 million on his campaign. Still, after winning election, Roberti tried to make himself welcome by supporting the breakup of the Los Angeles school district, a popular Valley cause.

Rosenthal said Monday that he had opposed Roberti’s school breakup measure and had supported instead a less ambitious state Assembly plan.

By throwing his hat in the ring, Rosenthal has become the instant front-runner in this year’s regular election for the 20th District; the primary will be held in June, the general election in November. Also eyeing the 20th District is Los Angeles school board member Julie Korenstein.

“She’s still thinking about it,” said Korenstein political adviser Parke Skelton. “I don’t think Herschel would be invulnerable in this district.”

But several others who had been considering running for the 20th District said Monday that they would not challenge Rosenthal. The district is predominantly Democratic in registration and both the state Assembly members who represent parts of it are Democrats.

In 1990, reapportionment dealt Rosenthal the 22nd District, with a 46% Latino population and an East Side orientation far different from the predominantly Jewish, Westside constituencies that Rosenthal has represented since he was first elected to the state Assembly in 1974.

Recognizing the problem, Rosenthal ran in 1992 for the 23rd District, one heavily anchored on the Westside, but was defeated by Sen. Tom Hayden, whose campaign was run by Skelton.

Because he did not have to give up his seat to run for the 23rd District, Rosenthal has remained in office, serving out the remainder of his four-year term as the senator for the 22nd District. But his term expires this year.

In a bid to still expected criticism, Rosenthal aides noted that Rosenthal has represented parts of Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana and Woodland Hills.

Lynette Stevens, Rosenthal’s chief deputy, said her boss has been active on Valley legislative issues. He co-authored legislation to fund a day-care center at the Sylmar Metrolink railroad station and opposed development of an arts park in the Sepulveda Basin.

In Sacramento, Rosenthal developed a reputation as a frequent traveler.

“Rosenthal is one of the biggest gift-takers and travelers in Sacramento,” said Skelton, who ran the Hayden campaign against him in 1992. “He was always taking trips paid for by special interests.”

Rosenthal said Monday that such trips are a thing of the past because new ethics rules have sharply limited them.

Democrat William Dominguez, a leader of the Roberti recall movement, complained that Rosenthal is another carpetbagger.

“He lost his race against Hayden, his current term expires this year, and now he needs another ticket to Sacramento and he sees the Valley providing it to him,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez, a Democrat, predicted that Rosenthal’s move will help the recall movement by providing fresh ammunition about how Sacramento politicians try to use the Valley. “I think it’s probably going to help,” he said. Both Dominguez, a Democrat, and White are candidates to replace Roberti in the April 12 recall.

Rosenthal’s announcement prompted several would-be candidates to pull out of the race for the 20th District seat, including Deputy City Atty. Gary Geuss and attorney Robert Hertzberg.

“I don’t like the Valley being the happy hunting ground for politicians from the metro area,” Geuss said. “But unfortunately he’s got bigger guns than I have.”

If Roberti is recalled, his successor, who would be chosen at the same time, would serve out the remainder of Robert’s term, which ends in December.

Then the person elected in November as part of the regular election cycle would take office. Rosenthal is not a candidate in the recall election.

Rosenthal, who has never before lived in the Valley, said he has rented an apartment in Studio City, located in the 20th District. “My wife and I have already spent a couple of nights there,” he said.