Delgadillo’s Challenger Drops Out

Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo will get a free ride to reelection after his only opponent, Etan Z. Lorant, announced Tuesday that he is dropping out of the race.

Delgadillo has raised more than $1 million; Lorant, an Encino attorney, has not reported raising any money.

Lorant said Delgadillo’s popularity and support make it impractical for a challenger to prevail in the March 8 election, but that he planned to run for the office in four years, when term limits will force Delgadillo out.

“He has strong support. This is not the right time to run,” said Lorant, who filed a declaration of intention to run against Delgadillo last month.

Lorant, who is also a Los Angeles Superior Court judge pro tem and serves on the West Hills Neighborhood Council, said he would use the next four years to gain more experience and knowledge in civic issues.

“This will better prepare me to think about any future political options and endeavors,” Lorant wrote to Delgadillo.

The decision, made after Lorant met with his political consultant, was announced a little more than 24 hours before today’s deadline for candidates to submit nominating petitions to qualify for the ballot.

Lorant said he collected the 500 signatures needed but will not turn them in to the city clerk.

Delgadillo was elected in 2001 after serving as a deputy mayor handling economic development issues under former Mayor Richard Riordan. His key initiatives include the launch of a neighborhood prosecutor program, which placed 18 deputy city attorneys in police stations around the city to tackle quality-of-life problems.

Delgadillo and his campaign consultant did not return calls for comment.