City Attorney Backs Padilla in Council Race

City Atty. James Hahn announced Tuesday that he has endorsed Alex Padilla for the northeast San Fernando Valley’s 7th Los Angeles City Council District seat.

“I’ve seen firsthand Alex’s work as a building and safety commissioner,” Hahn said. “He worked with us on shutting down crack houses in our residential neighborhoods and forcing slumlords to clean up their act.”

Hahn’s statement appeared aimed at countering criticism by Corinne Sanchez, the other candidate in the June 8 runoff, who last week charged that Padilla too often gave extensions to owners of slum properties.

Padilla said Hahn’s endorsement was important “because of our shared commitment in working together to shut down drug houses that plagued our neighborhoods and putting slumlords behind bars where they belong.”