Councilman Endorses Democrat Cardenas

In the race to succeed outgoing Assemblyman Richard Katz, political novice Tony Cardenas picked up several key endorsements Tuesday, including the backing of Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alarcon.

“I can’t think of an easier decision when it comes to the five candidates that are in this race than to select the only candidate who is a lifetime resident and lifetime participant in our community,” Alarcon said.

Alarcon’s comments were echoed by one-time candidate and former Assemblyman Jim Keysor, who took shots at Cardenas’ opponents, describing them as outsiders and bureaucrats who do not know or care about the district.

Indeed, the theme of the news conference at a labor union hall in Mission Hills was to emphasize the home-grown nature of Cardenas’ candidacy. The youngest of 11 children, Cardenas, a 32-year-old Democrat, is an engineer by training and owner of a real estate firm.

That theme may be his strongest asset, as Cardenas faces several well-connected and well-financed opponents, including veteran legislative aide Jim Dantona and attorney Valerie Salkin. Also running in the March 26 primary are longtime Latino activist Jose Galvan and Michael Del Rio, a former aide to state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Van Nuys).

The 39th Assembly District, a jurisdiction with a growing Latino community and strong Democratic roots, runs from Sylmar south to Sun Valley and includes Pacoima, Lake View Terrace and the city of San Fernando. Katz, a Sylmar Democrat, is being forced by term limits to abandon the post.

Keysor, 68, said he dropped out of the race, even though he believed he could have been the front-runner, because he felt that Cardenas had the youthful energy and drive for the post.

“It’s time for me to go out to pasture and turn the baton over to young people like Richard Alarcon and Tony Cardenas,” he said.

Cardenas described the endorsements by Alarcon and Keysor as key in his campaign, but he acknowledged that he nonetheless faced a daunting battle.

“It’s going to be difficult, but I think it’s going to be very exciting and very rewarding,” he said of the race.

Keysor agreed. “I personally think we are in an extremely difficult race right now,” he said, suggesting that Cardenas and his backers launch a registration drive in order to sign up 10,000 new voters.

Veteran political consultant Richard Lichtenstein said the endorsements could prove valuable for Cardenas by giving him credibility against candidates with longer records of political activism and experience.

He added that Cardenas has a good shot at winning the post if he can draw in a substantial number of Latino votes as well as by appealing to white constituents.

“If he can get Latinos and Anglo votes, it will determine if he jumps up,” Lichtenstein said.

As for Cardenas’ emphasis on his community roots, Lichtenstein said that strategy can be very successful if voters feel strongly about having a candidate with local ties.

During the news conference, Cardenas also blasted his opponents, portraying them as outsiders who are only interested in furthering their careers. Although he didn’t mention her by name, his comments appeared targeted at Salkin, who moved into the district from West Hollywood.

“When I learned that there were individuals moving into our community with the intentions of running for office, I was insulted,” he said. “No longer will people move here to pursue their personal political aspirations on the backs of the good people of our community.”

In an interview, Salkin brushed off criticism that she does not have roots in the district.

Salkin, a former aide to state Board of Equalization member Brad Sherman, said experience and vision are also important in a candidate.

“It’s not where you are from that’s important. It’s where you are going and what you are doing,” she said.

Salkin emphasized her support from several women’s organizations in the area, including the National Women’s Political Caucus, the San Fernando Business & Professional Women’s Assn. and the Valley chapter of the National Organization for Women.