Yaroslavsky Backs Former Braude Aide

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said Thursday that former city staffer Cindy Miscikowski is the best person to succeed retiring Councilman Marvin Braude.

“No endorsement I have ever made was made with as much enthusiasm and excitement as this one,” Yaroslavsky said at a news conference on the steps of City Hall.

Miscikowski and Georgia Mercer, a Tarzana resident, are competing for a council seat that has not been vacant since Braude was first elected in 1964.

The other candidates who have qualified for the ballot are Republican businessman Mark Isler and administrator Doug Friedman.

The primary election is April 8.

The 11th District includes pricey residential communities on both sides of the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as a piece of Van Nuys and West Los Angeles.

In lavishing praise on Miscikowski, Yaroslavsky noted her knowledge of City Hall gleaned during more than 20 years as Braude’s chief of staff. He singled out her critical role in writing and working to pass initiatives to slow growth in the city and to ban offshore drilling for oil.

“She can hit the ground running,” Yaroslavsky said.

The backing came a day after Miscikowski lost an important endorsement from the county Democratic Central Committee. Despite a plea on her behalf by Yaroslavsky, the committee voted overwhelmingly to endorse Mercer, a former San Fernando Valley aide to Mayor Richard Riordan, who is also being backed by Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg.

“I like the fact Georgia is so active,” Goldberg said. “It would connect people in her district to downtown. That’s important.”

Mercer also has endorsements from Police Commission President Raymond C. Fisher and Fire Commission President David Fleming, as well as leaders from women’s groups and the Jewish community.

In addition to former boss Braude, Miscikowski has council members Ruth Galanter and Mike Hernandez in her camp. The Brentwood resident is also endorsed by several key homeowner group presidents from the Valley.