Villaraigosa Allies Do Well in Races, but His Clout Doesn’t Help Prop. 82

This week’s elections produced good news for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but also underscored the limits of the popular Democrat’s political reach.

Eight of 12 candidates Villaraigosa endorsed for state office won their primary races. But the mayor also put his substantial clout behind Proposition 82, an initiative that would have taxed the rich to provide preschool for all. And that measure lost resoundingly, in Los Angeles as well as statewide, even after Villaraigosa promoted it in English and Spanish television ads.

On Wednesday, Villaraigosa acknowledged the boundaries of his influence, saying it was impossible for any mayor -- even one who enjoys immense local popularity -- to engender broad support for a measure laden with political baggage, including controversies surrounding its prime backer, movie director Rob Reiner.

“Endorsements only reaffirm a strong message or candidate,” Villaraigosa said. “They cannot be a substitute.”

Democratic and Republican political strategists largely agreed with Villaraigosa’s assessment.

They said that endorsements generally do not decide elections, even if they have the potential to sway tight contests. The campaign professionals pointed to the Proposition 82 campaign, which was struggling even as Villaraigosa lent his name.

“Antonio can only do so much,” said Parke Skelton, a longtime political advisor to the mayor. “It’s incumbent on the campaigns to use endorsements effectively.”

Some Villaraigosa-backed candidates faced uphill struggles that could not be stemmed by the mayor or other prominent political figures.

Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez (D-San Fernando) lost her bid for a state Senate seat in the San Fernando Valley despite support from Villaraigosa and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a Los Angeles Democrat. Montanez called both officials her “closest political allies.”

Villaraigosa endorsed Montanez just one month before the election. At that point, she was trailing Los Angeles City Councilman Alex Padilla by a wide margin.

Still, Montanez said that Villaraigosa’s involvement -- he was featured in radio advertisements, phone calls and mail -- bolstered her campaign.

“He was a key part in making us so strong,” said Montanez, who on election night promptly announced her candidacy for the northeast Valley council seat being vacated by Padilla. “I don’t think there is another official in the state of California whose endorsement counts as much as Antonio’s.”

Despite the Montanez loss, Villaraigosa held sway in other Los Angeles-area elections, particularly those in districts with heavily Latino and Democratic constituencies.

Strategists cited his endorsement of political newcomer Kevin de Leon, who handily beat four other Democratic candidates, including the granddaughter of labor leader Cesar E. Chavez, in the primary race for the Assembly seat once held by Villaraigosa.

De Leon, an official with the state teachers union, said that Villaraigosa’s endorsement was a decisive factor in his campaign to represent an area that includes Hollywood, Echo Park, Lincoln Heights, City Terrace and Atwater Village. Nunez’s endorsement also was key.

“People who respect the mayor would support someone whom the mayor thinks is qualified to do the job,” de Leon said.

Campaign managers say a Villaraigosa endorsement heading into the November general election will be eagerly sought because of the Latino and liberal votes he can attract.

But Villaraigosa also must strike the right balance, choosing his campaigns wisely, political experts said.

“He’s going to have to ration his endorsements and use them more sparingly ... to retain their value,” said GOP consultant Arnold Steinberg. “If he gets involved in too many races, the value of this endorsements dissolves.”