The Real Race Begins

The runoff election for mayor begins, and in many ways the race starts anew. In former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and City Atty. James K. Hahn, the two apparent top contenders, Tuesday’s result offers the city the most interesting choice it has had in almost 20 years.

Is Villaraigosa--with strong support not only among Latino voters but also Westside and San Fernando Valley residents--poised to become the Latino version of Tom Bradley, the late longtime mayor first elected in 1973 with a multiethnic coalition? Hahn is certainly--and thankfully--no Sam Yorty, the conservative who bitterly fought and eventually lost to Bradley. Hahn did well with moderates, those who valued experience, and African Americans, in large part due to affection for his late father, Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. At this new stage of the contest, however, both candidates will need more than what they have shown us so far, though they should take care to keep the tone of the campaign elevated.

For Villaraigosa, the challenge will be to demonstrate that there is more to him than political smarts and a winning smile. He undoubtedly has the ability to inspire; voters and big-money donors are excited by the possibility of electing the first Latino mayor of this majority-Latino city since the 19th century. But Villaraigosa will have to extend his reach beyond his natural liberal constituencies. Will he persuade nervous business leaders that he won’t drive up their costs with a relentless pro-union agenda? Can he convince more white conservatives, moderates, Asians and African Americans that his “Si, se puede” means that yes, it can be done for them too?

For Hahn, the challenge is just the opposite. He has to give voters a reason to care. Voting is personal, not merely the exercise of measuring issues and stands. Hahn has long experience in city government and is a moderate liberal who has on occasion shown streaks of independence. He has said he doesn’t think his low-key manner should matter. After all, the popular Bradley was a model of understatement, sometimes downright dull, and the present mayor, Richard Riordan, awkward even after eight years in office, seldom comes across as a polished politician. But luckily for Bradley and Riordan, they never ran against a candidate like Villaraigosa, who’s reaching for history.

To describe the mayor’s race that now awaits us as style versus substance would be glib but unfair. We look forward to plenty of both in this runoff election, because Los Angeles wants and deserves both.