Hahn Changes Plans, Will Join Candidates’ Debate

After initially declining to appear, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn agreed Thursday to participate in a Dec. 2 broadcast debate with his rivals in the race for the city’s highest office.

Hahn, who previously cited a scheduling conflict, changed his plans and agreed to face his major opponents: Councilmen Antonio Villaraigosa and Bernard C. Parks, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, and state Sen. Richard Alarcon, (D-Sun Valley).

“He will defend his record, and they will have to defend their record,” said Hahn campaign advisor Kam Kuwata.

Hahn will talk about what he has accomplished since becoming mayor of the nation’s second-largest city in July 2001. The campaign has cited a drop in crime, the hiring of Police Chief William J. Bratton and the approval of an LAX modernization plan as being among Hahn’s accomplishments.

Alarcon said he is “pleased that the mayor has finally decided to join the race and recognizes that ... he does have to defend his record.”

He criticized Hahn’s record, saying the mayor has not “kept his promise regarding public safety,” that “the economy has floundered under his leadership” and that “the LAX project is a debacle.”

Alarcon said Hahn will have to answer questions about the issue of integrity and allegations that campaign contributions have influenced city contracts.

Campaign consultant John Shallman said Hertzberg is “eagerly anticipating” the opportunity to debate Hahn.

Hertzberg gathered close to 500 signatures on a petition demanding that the mayor debate the issues.

Officials at the Parks campaign said the former L.A. police chief looked forward to hearing Hahn’s answers to a series of questions about public safety, including why the city has not been able to significantly increase the number of police officers on the streets.

Villaraigosa campaign officials had no immediate comment on Hahn’s decision to participate in the League of Women Voters debate at the Museum of Tolerance.

The hourlong debate will be broadcast on KNBC-TV Channel 4.