DELGADILLO LEAPS INTO STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Sacramento Bureau

Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo officially dove into the race for state attorney general Wednesday, declaring he will fight for working families throughout the state, and acknowledging his underdog status against Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown.

Delgadillo, who won his second term as city attorney earlier this year in an uncontested race, emphasized his roots growing up in East Los Angeles and his accomplishments as city attorney.

``The next attorney general of California can help lead the fight for people and families across this state who need a champion as they struggle to make a living, pay for health care and secure their retirement,'' Delgadillo said. ``I understand that struggle because I've lived it.''

Delgadillo made his announcement on the steps of the state Capitol, flanked by several legislators from the Los Angeles area who support his campaign, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez, D-Los Angeles, Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, and Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, as well as Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco.

He acknowledged that Brown, with his extensive political resume, is the early front-runner in the June 2006 Democratic primary.

``I know that I start this campaign as an underdog,'' Delgadillo said. ``I'm not an ex-governor or the son of a governor. I haven't run for president. My name's Delgadillo, not Brown. But if I've learned anything in my life it's that nothing's impossible if you're willing to dream big, work hard and stand up for what's right.''

Brown - reached by telephone from a honeymoon camping trip in Northern California - said he believes Delgadillo won't be serious about the office because he has political ambitions that go beyond attorney general.

``In that sense I bring a unique candidacy to the office of attorney general, because most attorney generals want to go on to some other office,'' Brown said. ``I think Rocky is in that category.''

``When you're looking for the next office, you don't give it the same focus. I intend to be a full-time attorney general dealing with the complexities of our legal system.''

Brown has served as governor and secretary of state, is the son of a former governor and ran for president several times. He married for the first time this summer at age 67.

Delgadillo, 35, was previously a deputy mayor under Mayor Richard Riordan and prior to that a corporate attorney in Century City. He is married with two sons.

State Sen. Charles Poochigian, R-Fresno, is currently the only candidate seeking the GOP nomination.

Harrison Sheppard, [phone]

harrison.sheppard(at)dailynews.com