Padilla Faces Renewed Threat to Presidency

Los Angeles City Council President Alex Padilla went for broke campaigning for Tony Cardenas over Wendy Greuel for the 2nd District seat. Now that Greuel has been declared the winner in that bitter race, talk has begun anew among council members about ousting Padilla from the presidency.

In a sharp turnabout, some council members who helped elect Padilla to the presidency say they need to be convinced that he deserves to keep the post.

Although the city lawmakers say they are reluctant to lead a coup that would destabilize the council, Padilla’s colleagues have placed him on a probation of sorts, warning him that he needs to put his political ambitions on hold and become a neutral statesman like his predecessor, the late Councilman John Ferraro.

“Alex clearly needs now to focus internally on this body and show that he is willing to live up to his commitment as leader of the council,” said Councilman Eric Garcetti, who helped elect Padilla to the presidency. “From his strongest allies to his biggest critics, he really needs to prove himself right now.”

Padilla’s strong support for Cardenas added fuel to the fire. To spite him, some of his colleagues supported Greuel, hoping her victory would signal the end of the young councilman’s presidency.

“A lot of people are bailing out on the other side because they see the writing is on the wall,” said Councilman Hal Bernson, one of Padilla’s most outspoken critics. “We need someone who is a little more capable, a little more mature, who brings the City Council together on issues rather than dividing the council.”

Padilla shrugs off the criticism. He knows he could lose the position any time his colleagues can garner eight votes, but he said he’s not worried.

“There has been talk like this since the beginning of my presidency. I’m focused on the work at hand,” Padilla said. “I’m continuing to work hard every day. I’m trying to work with every single member of the council.”

He scoffs at the suggestion that he should become less political.

“This is a political process,” said Padilla, who vigorously campaigned and raised money for Cardenas. “And we are all elected officials.”

Padilla has alienated some council members since July, when his colleagues voted 9 to 5 to make him president, beating Ruth Galanter. Shortly after gaining the post, he made a number of controversial moves, including ousting Bernson and other long-timers from their committee assignments. In November, council members--including Bernson, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Nate Holden--began discussing a possible coup.

The lawmakers--who complained that Padilla is too inexperienced to hold the job that gives him control over the council’s agenda--said they would wait until the District 2 election was over.

Now, with Greuel set to take office within two weeks, Padilla’s foes privately say they want to act. (Ridley-Thomas and Holden both declined to comment publicly on the matter.)

Officials have become so preoccupied with discussing Padilla’s fate that they are even joking about it.

At a political roast Tuesday night for Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg said to Padilla, “You are still president, aren’t you?”

Padilla replied, “Tell me what emeritus feels like.”

Councilwoman Janice Hahn used a Magic 8-Ball to peer into Padilla’s future.

“Does Alex Padilla have the eight votes to remain as City Council president?” she asked.

The councilwoman turned over the 8-Ball and read, “A grueling prospect.”

Hahn jabbed at Padilla as well. “It’s so nice Wendy Greuel is here tonight, Alex,” Hahn said. “I know you realize she’s going to be your newest swing vote on the council.”

Behind the scenes, Padilla’s foes have approached both Councilmen Garcetti and Tom LaBonge in recent weeks to urge them to seek the council’s top spot. Both say they are not interested.

Sources say Jack Weiss is also a potential swing vote, although he said in an interview that he is not considering the issue.

Greuel says she wants to stay above the fray.

“I’m going to work with every council member, including Alex,” she said. “It is not at all about hard feelings. I’m focusing on being the most effective council member I can be.”

She said she is not even thinking about voting for a new council president.

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Times staff writer Matea Gold contributed to this report.