ALARCON TAKES FIRST STEP IN HAHN CHALLENGE.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

State Sen. Richard Alarcon took steps Monday to become the first major challenger to Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn in the March 2005 election.

Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, filed papers to begin raising funds to challenge Hahn, who already has raised more than $1.3 million in his bid for a second term.

Alarcon said he is ``dead serious'' about challenging Hahn. Alarcon said a scandal over contracting practices at Los Angeles World Airports has tainted the Hahn administration and that Hahn has not provided inspirational leadership.

``People see me as very aggressive and hard-working and I try to inspire their communities to get involved,'' said Alarcon, who served 5 1/2 years on the Los Angeles City Council before being elected to the state Senate. Alarcon lives in Sun Valley.

``One thing I've been hearing is that there's a lack of enthusiasm in city government, a lack of wanting to get involved.''

Hahn's political advisers were not available to comment on Alarcon's candidacy.

Others said to be considering bids to challenge Hahn include Councilman Bernard C. Parks, former Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg, City Controller Laura Chick and Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa.

Alarcon said his campaign will be managed by Sacramento-based consultant Ritchie Ross, who has managed previous Alarcon campaigns as well as Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante's failed bid last year to become governor during the Gray Davis recall campaign.

James Nash, [phone]

james.nash(at)dailynews.com