Fresh Air in Two Council Races

It’s a fascinating political time for Los Angeles’ 14th City Council District. Richard Alatorre is retiring from the council seat he has held since 1985, and that will mark the first time in 34 years that a political heavyweight hasn’t had a virtual lock on the post. His departure will give a new generation of candidates an opportunity to grasp for the reins of power and move the district in a new direction.

The 14th District race is one of at least two exciting contests anticipated as seven City Council seats come open this spring. Unfortunately, the same fresh air doesn’t extend to the 10th Council District, where 12-year incumbent Nate Holden is again seeking reelection. There, new coalitions will have to emerge to produce a serious challenge.

In other parts of the city, the April election will mark the final, term-limited council runs for incumbents Joel Wachs in the 2nd District, John Ferraro in the 4th, Ruth Galanter in the 6th, Mark Ridley-Thomas in the 8th, Hal Bernson in the 12th and Holden, all of whom face only token opposition. They represent much of the council’s old guard, having held office collectively for 112 years.

The situation is far different in the 7th District, where the election of Richard Alarcon to the state Senate has provided an opportunity for 10 candidates. The same vigor exists in the 14th, a predominantly Latino area that includes Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock, El Sereno and Highland Park. This is a diverse community that includes downtown, major manufacturing centers and the nation’s largest fashion district. And it’s an area that provides a glimpse into the future of Los Angeles politics.

The 14th is the center of a power struggle among Latino politicians seeking influence in choosing Alatorre’s successor. They include Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), state Sen. Richard G. Polanco (D-Los Angeles), Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Alatorre himself and others. The 14th has also been targeted by labor unions, emerging political power brokers that are anxious to expand the ranks of City Council members who are friendly to workers. The district is a stronghold of working-class families and city workers.

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) and Mayor Richard Riordan have already thrown considerable political weight behind Nick Pacheco, a deputy district attorney and a member of the elected charter reform commission.

The race includes other candidates with strong connections. Among the most well-known are Victor Griego, a political and community organizer; Juan Jose Gutierrez, whose One Stop Immigration offices provide affordable community-based legal assistance, and Alvin D. Parra, a former Alatorre intern who shocked the veteran councilman by winning 41% of the vote in the last election. Nineteen candidates have announced their interest in the 14th District council seat.

“It’s a wonderful thing. You have six very credible contenders who equal each other in capability and integrity. They’re also very issues-oriented” and have deep community roots, said Supervisor Molina, who figures to play a strong role in the outcome of the race.

The 10th District incumbent, Holden, told reporters in 1995--when he was embroiled in a sexual harassment lawsuit that cost the city more than $1 million to defend against--that he did not plan to run for another term. He obviously has changed his mind.

Two of Holden’s five challengers seem to have the best shots. One is the Rev. Madison T. Shockley II, a minister in Mid-City Los Angeles. Another is Scott Suh, an employment development specialist who has worked hard to forge ties between Koreans and African Americans in the district.

Here’s to healthy political competition, something that’s been lacking at City Hall far too long.