L.A. Unified Hopeful Amasses Wide Support

Through luck and craft, Jose Huizar reached the place that candidates for public office usually only dream of: Months before the April 10 Board of Education election he wrapped up an almost certain victory.

A real estate lawyer in his first run for public office, Huizar has gained support from virtually everyone who could conceivably influence the Eastside race.

His extensive endorsements include Mayor Richard Riordan and the Los Angeles teachers union, forces that are clashing in two other school board races.

His only opponent, video producer Ralph Cole, has no significant political backing and is not expected to raise substantial funds to promote his candidacy.

Facing the prospect of a bitter fight against a Riordan-backed candidate, incumbent Victoria Castro decided not to seek a third term on the board.

Despite his good fortune, Huizar says he is disappointed at the lack of a strong opponent.

“I had hoped that our community had more leaders who could step up, to make this a race where the community really gets to see what the issues are,” he said. “The debates are not going on; the dialogue is not going on.”

Huizar, 32, said he is still running a vigorous campaign and expects to raise $100,000 to get his message out to the voters.

In fact, his financial needs are minimal because he already has the support of the two strongest forces in the election.

He said he will limit contributions from Riordan “to walk in there independent of the mayor or anyone else.”

His No. 1 issue is overcrowding, particularly in Eastside schools.

“It’s just ridiculous,” he said. “Euclid Avenue School in Boyle Heights did not have a Christmas program because there were two classes going on in the auditorium.”

Initial support for Huizar’s candidacy came from two close friends, Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh (D-Los Angeles) and Los Angeles City Councilman Nick Pacheco. Huizar attended UC Berkeley and later UCLA law school with Firebaugh and met Pacheco while in college.

Although conventional wisdom would predict intense competition for an open Eastside seat, Huizar quickly gathered endorsements from major Latino politicians, including former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), who are both running for mayor.

Political observers suggest that the rivalry between state Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) and county Supervisor Gloria Molina, which fueled many Eastside election battles, has faded.

The low pay of the school board post--only $24,000 a year--also discourages participation by those who must work for a living. Despite its official status as a part-time position, the job draws most board members into nearly full-time commitments.

Huizar, who is married but has no children, said his new salary will be about what he currently pays in taxes as an attorney for the Los Angeles law firm Weston, Benshoof. Because the firm has work with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Huizar said he will resign when he takes office July 1.

He said he has obtained legal advice that there would not be a conflict of interest but decided to avoid even the appearance of one.

He said he will try to supplement his income by contract work.