The City Attorney’s Race

Three-term incumbent Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn has launched his first two television commercials in his race against Ted Stein, a well-financed but little-known challenger who is backed by Mayor Richard Riordan.

THE ADS: Both commercials hammer Stein, a millionaire real estate developer and lawyer, for a decision not to pay property taxes promptly on two apartment buildings he co-owns. “Developer Ted Stein stiffed L.A. for back taxes,” the shorter ad begins, as a Times article is displayed, headlined “Candidate’s Back Taxes Total Nearly $100,000.” “He still owes us,” the announcer states, “but he’s put $200,000 into his own campaign. Ted Stein. Not qualified. Not independent.” Invoking the same themes, the second ad asks: “Why is real estate developer Ted Stein attacking our city attorney, Jim Hahn? After stiffing L.A. for thousands in back taxes, Stein’s put $200,000 into his own campaign.” The longer commercial, which lasts 30 seconds, then switches focus to Hahn. “City Atty. Jim Hahn is different,” the narrator states. “He’s led the fight against violent abuse of women and children; prosecuted hate crimes and gang violence; forced landlords to clean up slums and wipe out crack houses.” Hahn is shown in quick succession with a group in business attire, in casual garb on a playground, outside a courthouse and in a construction area. The spot closes with the announcer saying, “Our city attorney, Jim Hahn--tough, qualified and independent.”

THE ANALYSIS: The ads argue that Stein has shown himself to be unworthy of public trust because he can afford to pump $200,000 into his campaign but did not promptly settle his tax bill. In focusing on Stein’s property taxes, the Hahn campaign is hitting him where it hurts most. Even Stein acknowledges that the decision to pay the taxes on two struggling apartment buildings on the installment plan--although lawful--was bad business (because it incurs penalties and interest) and terrible politics. Stein calls the decision his biggest political regret. After it was disclosed, Stein paid nearly $40,000 of the $95,000 owed, saying that was his full share. Stein said he asked his partners to pay theirs. The Hahn campaign argues that as a general partner, Stein is technically responsible for the whole bill. The ads also seek to put Riordan’s endorsement of Stein in a bad light. Stein served Riordan as a policy advisor and as president of the city’s Airport Commission. The Hahn ads suggest that the Riordan link shows Stein is not independent. The longer ad appears to accurately relate some of Hahn’s accomplishments in reviving a domestic violence prosecution unit and targeting specific slum, drug and gang problems with legal vehicles such as court injunctions.