NOTE: This report leaves me in a quandry. According to the article, the IBEW is backing Villaraigosa. When I started fact-checking for the proper local union, I found that according to the IBEW Local 11 (they cover the inside work in the San Fernando Valley) PAC website, they are supporting Jim Hahn. There are seven different IBEW local unions in Los Angeles. We don't have any chapters that I'm aware of. So take it with a grain of salt, and we'll figure out what is going on in the morning!
Parks backs Villaraigosa's City Hall bid
By Rick Orlov Staff Writer, Los Angeles Daily News
Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - Mayoral challenger Antonio Villaraigosa is scheduled today to pick up the endorsement of City Councilman Bernard Parks, who came in first among African-American voters in last month's primary.
Parks, the former LAPD chief, is scheduled to make the announcement at a morning news conference in South Los Angeles.
The move follows the endorsement of Villaraigosa on Monday by the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers as well as by the San Fernando Democratic Party.
Mayor James Hahn picked up the support of Walter Moore, a Playa del Rey attorney who also ran for mayor in the primary.
Richard Lichtenstein, who is not involved in either of the campaigns, said Parks' support of Villaraigosa is significant.
``It sends a message to African-American voters, but also to the business community. Bernard Parks was the only candidate who had a message that appealed to business owners and Republicans.
``At some point, there becomes a critical mass of significant endorsements that have an impact with voters,'' he said.
Hahn campaign officials said they had not expected Parks to back the incumbent because he had opposed Parks' reappointment as police chief in 2002.
But Hahn campaign consultant Kam Kuwata said endorsement also sent a mixed message because Villaraigosa had offered differing views on whether he would keep Parks as chief during the 2001 campaign.
``We thought Parks would prefer to see someone who told the truth about their positions in all parts of the city and not offer one version in the San Fernando Valley, where he said he would fire Parks, and then tell people in South Los Angeles that he would keep him,'' Kuwata said.
Parks has dismissed that assertion, saying it was a long time ago and that he was not disturbed by comments made in 2001.
The African-American vote is key to the campaign. Hahn defeated Villaraigosa in 2001, in part because of his strong showing in South Los Angeles, which his father, Kenneth Hahn, represented on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for more than 40 years.
The campaigns are still awaiting an endorsement decision from former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, who finished a close third in the primary election. Hertzberg held two well-publicized luncheons with Hahn and Villaraigosa, and then took off for an Italian vacation.
Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov@dailynews.com
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