Labor Leader Joins Challengers for Alatorre Seat

Labor leader John A. Perez added his name to the growing list of candidates challenging incumbent Richard Alatorre for his seat on the Los Angeles City Council.

Perez, the cousin of state Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), enters with a leg up on an already crowded field of candidates, some political analysts say. Perez said he has the support of Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and several other state legislators and community leaders. He also has hired veteran political campaign consultant Parke Skelton, who has worked on numerous successful Eastside races.

Alatorre, who has been beset by allegations of cocaine abuse and is the target of an ongoing federal corruption investigation, has told his staff that he will run for reelection this spring, said Luisa Acosta, Alatorre’s deputy chief of staff.

“He continues to tell us that he is going to run,” she said.

But some political consultants and others close to Alatorre have said that they have advised him to avoid a nasty reelection campaign. They reportedly have told the councilman that his most attractive option is to back one of the challengers and gracefully bow out.

Cedillo, a former labor leader who had been seriously considering leaving Sacramento for a council run, said through an aide that he will remain in the Legislature. Cedillo met with Alatorre recently, and decided only last weekend to stay in Sacramento.

Another possible candidate is lobbyist Victor Griego, who has indicated he would run for the seat if Alatorre bows out.

With the backing of Cedillo and other labor leaders and the possible support of Villaraigosa, Perez appears to have an edge over the rest of the field, which is composed of community activists, analysts say.

“I think anybody who runs with the speaker’s support or has organized labor’s support in that district has a huge advantage,” said Sergio Bendixen, a political analyst for the Spanish-language Telemundo Network. “The speaker and labor right now are two of the most effective voices in the Latino community.”

Skelton said labor could be divided, but Perez has “a compelling story” to tell.

“I can’t see Alatorre getting elected,” Skelton said.

Perez, 29, executive director of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, recently moved back into the district, where he grew up.

He said the district is underserved and that there are vibrant communities lacking economic development and other revitalizing programs.

“I think they could benefit from some new economic development ideas,” Perez said.

Others who have indicated they will run for the 14th District seat are Luis Cetina, Yolanda Gonzales, Armando Hernandez, Paul Melero, Catherine T. Molina, Nick Pacheco, Alvin Parra, Ezequiel Quezada and Juan M. Tirado.

Alatorre was reelected in 1995 with about 57% of the vote, but ran poorly in the key community of El Sereno in the heart of the Eastside district. Most of his challengers have strong connections to that area.