HOLDEN STIRS UP MAYORAL RACE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

With Mayor Richard Riordan already facing a challenge from state Sen. Tom Hayden, a second figure emerged Monday in the effort to force the mayor into a debate on the city's future.

Councilman Nate Holden, who has run for the office twice before, said he will decide in the next week whether to enter the race.

Although Holden has not decided to make another run, he dismissed Hayden as a ``Johnny come lately'' and commented that he doesn't believe that ``Riordan can buy his way into a second term.''

``The people are looking for a strong leader for mayor, someone who will identify what the problems are and provide substantive change to improve the quality of life in the city,'' Holden said.

On Sunday, as he made his announcement for the office, Hayden issued a broad attack on the mayor on everything from questioning his efforts at building up the Police Department to improving the quality of life in the city.

Riordan, however, would respond to none of the attacks, turning down requests to defend his record.

``He is going about the business of being mayor,'' said Bill Wardlaw, who chairs Riordan's re-election campaign. ``The fact is Dick Riordan will let his record speak for itself. The city is safer, there have been improvements made in the city.

``Dick Riordan has done an outstanding job as mayor and the people of this city know that. He has made the city safer and more efficient and he has retained or created 30,000 new jobs since he was elected.''

There could be a problem, however, for Hayden, and possibly Holden, if the mayor refuses to engage in a debate on his record.

``We think he will be forced to answer,'' said Patti Shin, spokeswoman for the Hayden campaign. ``It's also difficult for them if we are out there talking and people are listening to us and they are silent. They will be forced into a debate because what counts is the voters.

``If the voters are out there and hear Tom speaking to all parts of the city and he gets a good response, the mayor will have to respond.''

But Democratic political consultant Richard Lichtenstein said Riordan would be better served to try to remain above the political fray and move to accomplish more on his major issues.

``The best thing the mayor can do to defend his record is to try to bring closure to the initiatives he has been working on and those successes will speak for themselves,'' Lichtenstein said.