Los Angeles Controller Laura Chick has raised her public profile in recent months, issuing scathing audits of contracting at the city's harbor and airports departments and wasteful spending at the Department of Water and Power.
The heightened level of activity has some people at City Hall wondering whether Chick is positioning herself for higher office, possibly a run against Mayor James K. Hahn in the 2005 election.
Chick said last week she is getting a lot of calls from supporters urging her to run for mayor. The controller said she is not ruling out a campaign but is not actively considering it, either.
"If drafted, I will accept," Chick said. "But at this time, I am focusing on this office."
One potential "problem," she admits, is that she has endorsed Hahn for reelection. But her audits in recent months have been highly critical of Hahn's commissioners, and she said of the calls from supporters: "Maybe it represents a desire on the part of some to have a different style of leadership."
Meanwhile, Assemblyman Keith Richman (R-Northridge) still is not ruling out his own run for mayor, a top advisor says, but plans to open a campaign committee next month to begin fundraising for the state treasurer's seat in the 2006 election.
"The possibility of running for mayor is still there, but it's not on the front burner," said Dan Pellissier, Richman's chief of staff.
City Councilman Bernard C. Parks also is weighing a possible challenge to Hahn, and former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg has been sounding out people, including political advisor John Shallman, about whether he should run. "He is evaluating it," Shallman said.
Hahn's Top 10 List
Hahn has been hammered with criticism in recent months about his $9-billion plan to modernize Los Angeles International Airport, but he still has a sense of humor on the subject.
At a holiday reception for the media, Hahn borrowed a page from late-night talk-show host David Letterman and provided his own "Top 10 reasons we need a major overhaul at LAX." The list included friendly jabs at Airport Commission President Ted Stein, former City Councilman Nate Holden and Valley secessionists.
The No. 10 reason Hahn offered for updating LAX: "I am a glutton for punishment."
No. 9: "Bigger airport equals room for more Cinnabons."
8: "When I was elected mayor, I said I would improve the quality of life for all Angelenos -- that includes Hare Krishnas and those guys dressed like priests."
