BURKE SWITCHES SUPPORT TO VILLARAIGOSA.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Mayoral challenger Antonio Villaraigosa picked up a key endorsement Friday from Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, who has long ties to incumbent James Hahn and his family.

Standing in front of the landmark Pann's Restaurant in Ladera Heights, Burke, the only African-American on the Board of Supervisors, said she had decided to reverse herself from four years ago to back Villaraigosa, who goes into the May 17 runoff with a 10-percentage-point lead over Hahn.

``I have long ties to the Hahn family. His father, Supervisor Kenny Hahn, supported me when I first ran. And I supported him. I supported Jimmy in all his elections and his sister, Janice, in hers,'' Burke said.

``But I came to believe it is time for someone who is more energetic, with bigger ideas, to serve as mayor. I was dismayed with the lack of interest in the election and I believe Antonio Villaraigosa will energize people, that his election will be as historic today as Tom Bradley's was when he was elected.

``That election sent a message to all of Los Angeles, to all of Southern California, to all the United States. I think we can do the same with Antonio Villaraigosa.''

Hahn's campaign said it was disappointed with Burke's announcement.

``The mayor and the supervisor have agreed on many issues in the past and disagreed on others,'' Hahn campaign consultant Kam Kuwata said. ``This is something they disagree upon.

``I think the voters are going to make their determination on who has done more for the city of Los Angeles. And the record will be clear that is Jim Hahn.''

Villaraigosa said he was thankful for the endorsement from an official he said he has admired for years.

The two have worked together on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Burke credited Villaraigosa's role in ending the last transit strike.

Joining with Villaraigosa and Burke was former Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, who said he had backed Villaraigosa's election four years ago.

The endorsement is significant in Villaraigosa's efforts to win over black voters in areas that have strong ties to Hahn and his family.

While the three council districts with the heaviest African-American populations went overwhelmingly for Councilman Bernard Parks in the primary election, both the Hahn and Villaraigosa camps are uncertain on how that vote will be in the runoff.

``We are trying to build on the momentum we were able to develop in South Los Angeles,'' Villaraigosa campaign manager Parke Skelton said. ``We did much better this time than we did four years ago and we think the campaign has a better chance with African-American voters.''

Hahn limited his campaign to appearances on talk radio shows, discussing endorsements he has received and the nature of the campaign.

The mayor said he believes it will be easier for him now that he is in a one-on-one race with Villaraigosa.

``This gives me an opportunity to talk about what we have accomplished,'' Hahn said.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com