KERRY ENDORSES VILLARAIGOSA RALLY AT COLLEGE INTERRUPTED BY SUPPORTERS OF HAHN.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

As the campaign for mayor of Los Angeles moves into its final two weeks, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa received the endorsement on Saturday of former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, while Mayor James Hahn made an appeal to black and Valley voters.

At a mid-day rally more reminiscent of presidential politics than a mayoral contest, Kerry offered praise for Villaraigosa - who served as one of his national co-chairs last year - and urged a crowd of nearly 300 at Los Angeles Valley College to vote for his longtime friend.

``I am not here against anybody,'' Kerry said. ``I am here for a friend who has shown strength, courage and vision over the years.''

As a group of some 75 pro-Hahn supporters demonstrated nearby and chanted ``Miami mayor'' - alluding to a controversy over Villaraigosa campaign funding - Kerry said the candidate will work to transform Los Angeles in areas such as education, health care and public safety.

Hahn, in the meantime, was meeting with leaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to discuss his long ties to the black community and discuss crime and education issues.

Noting the reduction in crime that has come under his administration and his efforts to shake up the Los Angeles Police Department, Hahn said he would work to bring the same type of change to the public school system.

The mayor also talked with reporters concerning the inquiry opened by District Attorney Steve Cooley into the fundraising by Villaraigosa in Florida. Villaraigosa announced on Thursday he was returning $47,000 in donations received from employees of two Miami-based firms.

``The key thing for all of us is it appears that, from these news reports, people didn't seem to know they had made a contribution to somebody running for mayor, or didn't know when they'd made it,'' Hahn said.

``The fact that an investigation has begun is going to help get these questions answered. I think it is important that it be resolved as quickly as possible.''

The mayor also appeared at the opening of the new police station in Mission Hills, saying it fulfilled a promise to San Fernando Valley residents to provide more police protection.

Villaraigosa, however, said he was trying to wage a campaign based on offering change in the city.

``If you look at the campaign being run by the mayor, it's one of fear,'' Villaraigosa said. ``It's not on what we can do to make this a better city. If you notice, when I talk about him, I call him mayor or Mr. Hahn. Yet, when he talks about me, he calls me Antonio. There needs to be respect.''

Villaraigosa's rally featured two of his opponents in the March primary - former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and Councilman Bernard Parks - as well as a number of officials from state and local government who have endorsed him.

Those included state Sens. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, and Debra Bowen, D-Redondo Beach; Assemblyman Mark Ridley-Thomas, D-Los Angeles; Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi; school board President Jose Huizar; and Community College Trustee Kelley Candaele, among others.

While most polls show Villaraigosa with a lead over Hahn, he warned the crowd not to be complacent.

``I've been here before,'' Villaraigosa said, referring to his race four years ago when he finished first in the primary but ended up losing to Hahn in the runoff.

``We had 5,000 volunteers last time. This time we need more than that if we are going to be successful.''

The rally featured blaring songs of ``Make the San Fernando Valley My Home'' by Bing Crosby and Randy Newman's ``I Love L.A.,'' played to drown out the Hahn supporters.

At one point during Kerry's remarks, the audio system was knocked out, and the audience sang ``The Star Spangled Banner'' until it was repaired.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, left, clasps hands with Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Kerry supporter and current candidate for mayor of Los Angeles. Kerry endorsed Villaraigosa during a Saturday rally at Los Angeles Valley College.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer