BIG PUSH BEHIND VILLARAIGOSA UNION, DEMOCRATIC PARTY MOBILIZE RANKS OF SUPPORT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Labor unions and the state Democratic Party have launched a $1.3 million drive in support of former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa's campaign for mayor of Los Angeles, officials said Tuesday.

With the election 20 days away, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, expects to spend some $1 million and the state Democratic Party will provide the remainder through volunteers and mailings.

``This is an important election for us, not only on behalf of (Villaraigosa) and other Democrats, but in organizing for the 2002 election,'' said Art Torres, state party chairman.

Also on Tuesday, Villaraigosa won a key endorsement as Gov. Gray Davis announced he is backing him in the April 10 primary over three other Democrats.

The federation, an umbrella group of labor unions in the county, views the election as a significant event, said Martin Ludlow, the organization's political director.

``We see this as an opportunity to talk to union members, and they are responding to the opportunity to have the first union mayor in the history of the city of Los Angeles,'' Ludlow said.

The highly partisan nature of the efforts, particularly the endorsement from a sitting governor, angered the other Democrats in the race.

``This is a nonpartisan race and I don't think that people will appreciate turning it into a partisan one,'' City Attorney James Hahn said.

``I don't think it will make a difference,'' Hahn added.

State Controller Kathleen Connell's aides expressed a similar view. ``(Connell) does not have to stand on the back of other politicians,'' campaign consultant John Shallman said.

``To make this a partisan race makes it more of the part of the problem than part of the solution,'' Shallman added.

The other top contenders include Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles; Councilman Joel Wachs, an independent; and Republican businessman Steve Soboroff. Soboroff has received support in the form of an independent mailing by the state Republican Party.

Torres, however, said the backing by Davis, the state party and the unions was something the others all had sought. The governor released a statement crediting Villaraigosa for much of the success Davis enjoyed during his first year.

Villaraigosa said he believes the governor's endorsement and involvement of the groups can raise interest in the election. ``It's important to try to increase turnout,'' he said.

Torres said most of the Democratic Party effort will be carried out through telephone banks and party members walking precincts.

Ludlow said the union began its effort last week with several hundred members on precinct walks in the San Fernando Valley.

Not all unions are backing Villaraigosa, however. Service Employees International Union, Local 347, backs Hahn.

``We won't have anywhere the same amount of money to spend, but our people will be out there,'' said Julie Butcher, general manager of the local.

MAJOR ENDORSEMENTS

Here are some of the key endorsements claimed by each of the leading candidates for mayor of Los Angeles in the April 10 primary:

--Xavier Becerra: Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo.; Rep. Lucille Roybal- Allard, D-Los Angeles; City Councilman Nick Pacheco.

--Kathleen Connell: National Women's Political Committee.

--James Hahn: Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher; Rep. Jane Harman, D-Redondo Beach; Service Employees International Union, Local 347; NBA star and businessman Earvin ``Magic'' Johnson; City Council members Alex Padilla and Cindy Miscikowski.

--Steve Soboroff: Mayor Richard Riordan; Rep. Howard ``Buck' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita; businessman Lee Kanon Alpert.

--Antonio Villaraigosa: Gov. Gray Davis; the state Democratic Party; the county Federation of Labor; Sen. Barbara Boxer.

--Joel Wachs: The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

- Rick Orlov

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Box: MAJOR ENDORSEMENTS (See text)