KNOX IN RACE TO TAKE HAYDEN'S PLACE.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

Assemblyman Wally Knox has entered the race for the state Senate seat Tom Hayden must vacate because of term limits, announcing his candidacy Monday in a letter to supporters.

Known to San Fernando Valley residents as a leader in the effort to reduce gridlock at the 101-405 freeway interchange, Knox will face a primary battle with fellow Democrat Sheila Kuehl. Like Hayden, both Knox and Kuehl are prevented from seeking re-election to their current seats because of the state's term limits law.

Knox, D-Los Angeles, said his work is not done in Sacramento and wants to continue on issues important to the quality of life of residents in his district and California.

``What I have tried to do is to identify the real issues that are of immediate importance to the people I represent, build a strategy to move ahead on those issues and get real practical results,'' he said.

The 23rd Senate District reaches from Hancock Park west to Santa Monica, north over the Santa Monica Mountains to the Ventura County line and West Hills, and east to Van Nuys and Studio City.

Both Knox and Kuehl, D-Encino, represent Assembly districts that lie within the district.

Knox said he is optimistic of his chances, given endorsements from Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and City Council President John Ferraro.

Kuehl has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and said Monday she will gain other key Democratic support in her bid to succeed Hayden. Kuehl said she is planning a formal announcement after the state budget is approved in June.

``I think it's definitely a battle,'' Kuehl said.

Both Knox and Kuehl were elected to the Assembly in 1994, and they have similar voting records.

Knox, 52, chairs the Committee on Revenue and Taxation and the Select Committee on Traffic Congestion Relief. Current issues he is taking on include a statewide limit on the number of guns an individual is allowed to buy, and legislation for an eight-hour workday that permits flexible work schedules.

Kuehl, 58, chairs the Judiciary Committee and the Select Committee on Entertainment and the Arts.

One difference Kuehl intends to campaign on is her Democratic leadership positions in Sacramento. ``You have to see who's taken the initiative, who's been effective, and I think those are the places where we can differentiate,'' she said.

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PHOTO Wally Knox

Endorsed by mayor