CITY HALL'S STAYING POWER WITH PASSAGE OF PROP. R, INCUMBENTS WILL BE EVEN HARDER TO TOPPLE.

Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH Staff Writer

The Los Angeles City Council, already notoriously difficult for newcomers to break into, is almost certain to become even more entrenched this year as a measure extending term limits takes effect.

Since term limits were approved in 1993, only one incumbent has been ousted from the City Council, and races have been competitive only when a member terms out after eight years.

But with the passage in November of Measure R, which allows City Council members to serve 12 years, critics are questioning the long-term impact on L.A. politics.

In March, five of the seven incumbents will skate to re-election unopposed.

The race for the single open seat -- Council District 7 in the northeast San Fernando Valley -- is being dominated by former state Senator and Assemblyman-elect Richard Alarcon, who previously served two terms on the council and is seeking to return under provisions of Measure R.

``Nobody is going to run until there is an open seat,'' said former City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, who unseated incumbent Pat Russell in 1987.

``What they've done is to create a situation where there are competitive elections every 12 years instead of every eight years.''

And few incumbents are eager to give up a secure seat on the nation's best-paid City Council.

Members got another raise Jan. 1 that pushed their annual salary to $171,648. Their numerous perks include a car, free gas, cell phone and excellent health benefits.

While observers suggest that strong candidates who might have waited to run for an open seat under the eight-year system now may decide to run earlier, prospective politicians will have a tough time winning a seat against incumbents.

Before term limits were enacted in 1993, records show, one of the 15 council members was voted out every two to seven years.

Only Villaraigosa

Since the start of term limits, however, only Antonio Villaraigosa has been able to oust an incumbent, beating out Councilman Nick Pacheco for the 14th District seat.

A former Assembly speaker, the high-profile Villaraigosa was backed by organized labor and easily defeated Pacheco in the March 2003 election. Two years later, he unseated another incumbent -- Mayor James Hahn.

But most challengers don't have that political and financial backing. In fact, candidates running against incumbents have a hard time finding donors and support.

In the 2005 City Council election, attorney and businessman David Vahedi raised the most money of all challengers: $95,628, according to the city's Ethics Commission.

But Vahedi lost badly to incumbent Jack Weiss, who raised $447,188.

Taking risks

Laura Chick ousted 3rd Council District incumbent Joy Picus in 1993, then went on to become city controller. But her entrance into public office didn't come easily.

``I had enormous difficulty in getting any endorsements,'' Chick recalled.

``Other officeholders and labor organizations don't want to take a risk endorsing somebody. People really felt there would be negative consequences because the incumbent always wins.''

The city Ethics Commission has attempted to limit the incumbent advantage by prohibiting council members from sending out city-funded mailers or spending money from officeholder accounts close to the election.

However, Ethics Commission member Bill Boyarsky said reports still show that incumbents face little competition once they are in office.

Less opportunity

Three terms could mean even fewer opportunities for new candidates to break in.

``If we're going to have three terms, then we should have public financing,'' said Boyarsky, whose commission has sent the City Council a proposal to use taxpayer money to fund campaigns for city office.

``Public financing would make it easier for a person to get into the race against the incumbent. The person would still be an underdog because the incumbent has name recognition, but at least it would give someone a better chance.''

Councilman Dennis Zine has raised concerns about using taxpayer dollars to pay for political campaigns, but agrees that the current system favors incumbents simply because they can raise the money to campaign.

``Who's going to support you or give you money when there's a strong candidate in office?'' he asked.

Zine said there may be fewer competitive races now that council members can serve 12 years, but said that also gives potential candidates time to prepare for open seats.

Chance to learn

``With term limits, it gives people an opportunity to learn to participate through neighborhood councils and political service and then when those seats become vacant, the people who can show leadership -- those people are going to win those seats.''

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, who is running unopposed in the March election, said council members are always vulnerable -- with or without term limits.

And now with three terms, some candidates might be more willing to challenge someone after one term, rather than wait.

``There's been enough instances where incumbents are not safe,'' she said. ``I think people are going to decide to run based on whether they believe the person is doing a good job or not.''

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

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