L.A. Council’s New Guard

Ambitious group is expected to challenge Hahn for city’s leadership.

Alex Padilla

District: 7th, in north San Fernando Valley, including Pacoima

Background: MIT engineering grad; deputy to former Assemblyman and incoming Councilman Tony Cardenas. Elected to council at age 25 in 1999. Elected council president in 2001 and is youngest to serve in post.

Comments: Defeated Ruth Galanter for council presidency after Cindy Miscikowski pulled out. Got off to rocky start with committee appointments flap, but recovered with steady performance during the Sept. 11 crisis, while Mayor James Hahn was stuck in Washington. Solidified hold on council presidency this spring by taking on Hahn on city budget and winning. Tight race for re-election expected in next couple of weeks.

Antonio Villaraigosa

District: 14th, L.A.’s Eastside, including Eagle Rock and Boyle Heights

Background: Started as union activist. Elected to state Assembly in 1994. Became majority leader in 1997 and speaker later that year. Termed out of Assembly in 2000. Lost mayoral race to Hahn in 2001. Worked as lobbyist for biomedical park near County-USC Medical Center. Defeated incumbent Nick Pacheco in March to win seat on City Council after campaign that turned nasty.

Comments: Huge expectations for Villaraigosa to emerge as a key leader on the new council. Will likely become the “go-to” person on the council for organized labor, and carry fellow council newcomer Martin Ludlow on labor issues. Many believe he will stage another run for mayor.

Eric Garcetti

District: 13th, Hollywood

Background: Son of former L.A. County District Attorney Gil Garcetti. A Rhodes Scholar who returned to L.A. to become professor of public policy and world affairs at Occidental College. In 2001, replaced termed-out Councilwoman (now state Assemblywoman) Jackie Goldberg. Chairs Economic Development and Employment Committee and was instrumental in launching $100 million trust fund for affordable housing.

Comments: A bona-fide progressive and one of the council’s most thoughtful members. If he retains economic development position, will be key person in labor coalition and have influential role in issues affecting businesses in the city. As affordable housing advocate, faces challenge of getting trust-fund dollars into housing units on the ground.

Bernard Parks

District: 8th, in South L.A.

Background: Joined LAPD at age 21; rose through ranks to become police chief in 1997. Rampart corruption scandal broke on his watch, resulting in LAPD being placed under federal consent decree. In February 2002, Hahn decided not to renew Parks’ contract. Months later, Parks ran for the council seat being vacated by now-Assemblyman Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Comments: Already has high profile on new council. Many expect him to run for mayor, possibly taking on Villaraigosa. Has stepped up on issue of returning professional football to the L.A. Coliseum, which is in his district. Sided against Hahn in budget squabble over hiring of additional police officers.

Cindy Miscikowski

District: 11th, on L.A.’s Westside

Background: Former staffer for councilmen Zev Yaroslavsky (now a county supervisor) and Marvin Braude. Replaced Braude when he was termed out in 1997. Now president pro-tem of council and chair of Public Safety Committee. Married to developer Doug Ring.

Comments: Will be senior member when new council convenes next week, an “elder stateswoman” when considering her prior experience at City Hall. Holds crucial vote in next week’s council presidency election. Retention of key public safety post would keep her in limelight on LAPD issues. Also has extensive knowledge of planning issues. Expected to take lead within council on proposed LAX makeover, which is in her district.

Wendy Greuel

District: 2nd, including North Hollywood and Sunland-Tujunga

Background: Housing deputy to former Mayor Tom Bradley, then executive at DreamWorks SKG. Elected to council in 2002. Within weeks of taking office, introduced borough proposal for the restructuring of L.A. city government; proposal defeated.

Comments: Quickly raised public profile with borough proposal, introduced as a way to ward off secession. Has emerged as point person on controversial business tax issue. Challenging Padilla for council presidency next month. Due to give birth to first child around the same time.