Former Davis Aide Says He’ll Run for Assembly

Dario Frommer, a former aide to Gov. Gray Davis, said Monday he has decided to become a Democratic candidate for the 43rd Assembly District seat being vacated by Scott Wildman, kicking off what is expected to be a hotly contested race.

The big question is whether Davis will become involved.

Gary South, a spokesman for the governor, said Davis has not yet decided whether to endorse in the 43rd District race, but Frommer said, “Obviously I wouldn’t be doing this without the governor’s blessing.”

Frommer plans soon to formally announce his has candidacy to succeed Wildman, who is running for the state Senate.

It appears there may be a crowded field of candidates in the March primaries.

Besides Frommer, a 35-year-old attorney who lives in Los Feliz, others expected to seek the seat next spring include former ethics commission Chairman Paul Krekorian and health professional John Hisserich.

Attorneys Craig Missakian, Mark MacCarley and computer company head Elizabeth Michael are among those who may run on the Republican side.

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In order to run for office, Frommer quit last week as the governor’s appointments secretary. He was in charge of screening and recommending candidates for 2,000 state commissions and boards.

“I grew up in Glendale and went to school there,” said Frommer, a graduate of Hoover High School. “What I bring to the race is that close tie to the community and my experience.”

He also previously worked as an aide to former state Sen. Art Torres, as a spokesman for the state Democratic Party and was state director of the Yes on Proposition 217 campaign to reform securities fraud litigation.

Even without an endorsement, Frommer is expected to get a lot of help in the race from Sacramento contacts.

“He’s very well connected,” said Larry Levine, a San Fernando Valley political consultant not involved in the race.

“He will have no problem raising money,” Levine said. “The question is: Can everyone else raise money to compete with him?”

Krekorian, 39, has jumped off to an early lead in fund-raising, bringing in more than $100,000 so far, including $55,000 he loaned his campaign.

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The Toluca Lake entertainment attorney said he is confident he will be competitive in fund-raising and has a long record of public service that includes groups such as Women Against Gun Violence and the Webster Commission, which examined the LAPD’s slow response to the 1992 riots.

“I have had a lifelong commitment to public service and particularly issues involving my community, including efforts to prevent youth violence,” Krekorian said.

Democrats still hold an edge over Republicans in voter registration in the district, 78,641 to 60,772. The district includes parts of Glendale, Burbank, Los Feliz, Atwater, Toluca Lake and North Hollywood.

Meanwhile, attorney and actor Barry Gordon, announced in Pasadena on Monday that he is a candidate for the 44th Assembly District seat, which is being vacated by Jack Scott.

Gordon, a Democrat and former president of the Screen Actors Guild, lives in Pasadena.

Other possible candidates include Susan Carpenter McMillan, Bill Thomson, Carol Liu and Diana Peterson-More.