COUNCIL HOPEFUL GARNERS TRIO OF ENDORSEMENTS, IRE OF U.S. SENATOR.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

City Council candidate Alex Padilla picked up three endorsements Friday for the June 8 election but ran into controversy over a new mailing to voters that features the unauthorized use of a photo of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills, unsuccessful council candidate Barbara Perkins and Corina Alarcon came out for Padilla at a City Hall news conference, saying they felt he would better serve the 7th Council District than challenger Corinne Sanchez.

At the same time, Padilla's campaign released a mailing seeking to deflect criticism about his age - he's 26 - by citing his experience as an aide to Feinstein and an aide to Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, D-Panorama City, as well as experience as a city commissioner under Mayor Richard Riordan.

The mailer features pictures of Feinstein, Riordan and Cardenas along with information about Padilla's work for them.

And while it does not talk of endorsements, Riordan and Cardenas have come out for his candidacy.

But the picture of Feinstein was used without her permission and she has not become involved in the race, said an aide to the U.S. senator.

``The senator has not endorsed in this election,'' spokesman Howard Gantman said. ``She was not asked to use her photograph. It was used without her permission in the campaign mailing.''

Gantman would not say if Feinstein will ask for the mailing to be withdrawn.

Padilla's campaign consultant Rick Taylor said he understood Feinstein had given permission to use her photograph and that they were not attempting to show an endorsement for Padilla, who worked for Feinstein for seven months.

Taylor said Padilla called the Feinstein office to request the picture, and it was given to them.

Officials with the Sanchez campaign said they would have no comment.

In the April 13 primary, Padilla finished on top with 48 percent of the vote, and Sanchez was second with about 25 percent.

Berman said his decision to back Padilla came after the candidate pledged to seek more police on the streets.

``The East San Fernando Valley is still one of the most underpoliced areas of the Valley,'' Berman said. ``(Padilla) has pledged to help seek more officers.''

As an example, Padilla said he would vote to accept a federal grant to hire more police - an issue that has divided the City Council, with some members concerned about the long-range costs to the city.

Perkins, who finished third in the primary and had said earlier she would not make an endorsement in the runoff, said she changed her mind after talking with some supporters. ``They said they weren't going to vote, and I think that's wrong,'' Perkins said.

Alarcon said she endorsed Padilla because she felt he would offer the best representation. She said it had nothing to do with the decision made by her estranged husband, state Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, to endorse Sanchez.

``I believe Alex Padilla has the vision that is needed for the 7th Council District,'' she said.

Padilla said the endorsements were significant in showing he was drawing support from a cross-section of the district.