Sen. Polanco Withdraws From 1st District Council Race

Democratic state Sen. Richard Polanco announced late Wednesday that he will no longer seek a Los Angeles City Council seat in the 1st District, sending confusion and excitement through the working-class area where he was considered a heavy favorite.

The announcement, made through Polanco’s Senate office, cites the Senate majority leader’s desire to fulfill his obligations in Sacramento before his Senate term expires next year. That explanation raised some eyebrows Wednesday night, since Polanco’s duties have not changed since he entered the council campaign to great fanfare earlier this year. But the powerful senator refused to address questions about other motives he might have had for dropping out.

Polanco was unavailable for further comment, his spokesman Bill Mabie said, adding that he is unsure whether the senator will pursue another political office later.

The exit from the council race comes after a political backlash that began forming against Polanco after he announced his candidacy last month to replace outgoing Councilman Mike Hernandez.

Former Hernandez chief of staff Ed Reyes has recently been endorsed by mayoral candidate Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles,) Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles,) Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) and Councilman Nick Pacheco.

Political newcomer Robert Nakahiro has won several Democratic Party endorsements previously believed to be easy victories for Polanco.

Still, Polanco, 49, was considered a shoo-in to represent the predominantly Latino and Asian immigrant district that is home to the LAPD Rampart police scandal, the Belmont Learning Complex controversy and some of the worst examples of the region’s affordable housing crisis.

Expressing a desire to “return home” after nearly a decade in Sacramento, Polanco touted his wide name recognition and experience as a state legislator as a means to channel more state and federal money to the often neglected neighborhoods of the 1st District.

The 13.2-square-mile area includes Dodger Stadium, MacArthur Park and the Los Angeles River Center, as well as gangs, prostitution and a fading local economy.

During often energetic campaign speeches, Polanco cited a record that includes tightening state restrictions on guns and helping to stop the River Center from becoming a Home Depot.

Polanco’s presence in the race was deeply felt by his opponents, who let out sighs of relief Wednesday as the news spread.

When he first heard about the announcement, Nakahiro said, “I thought somebody was trying to play a joke on me.”

That is because Nakahiro and the four other candidates still in the race had met with constant resistance from voters skeptical about their chances against Polanco.

Said Reyes: “When you’re flailing away at a giant, it begins to take its toll on you.”

Reyes said the new dynamics of the race will force everyone to redouble their campaign efforts.

“I’ve always said this is not a coronation,” Reyes said, referring to the speculation about a Polanco victory.