MAYOR SMYTH TESTING WATERS FOR ASSEMBLY RUN.

Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Mayor Cameron Smyth remained coy Tuesday about his interest in the state Assembly seat currently held by Keith Richman, who will be termed out next year.

``I have not declared my candidacy, but I am certainly looking at it and looking at all aspects,'' Smyth said.

The two-term Santa Clarita City Council member appeared, however, to be in campaign mode, running down a laundry list of what he could offer if elected to represent the 38th Assembly District.

``Something that I bring is experience in the Legislature, where I've worked for six years as a staff member,'' said Smyth, who was an aide to a Republican state senator, the late William J. ``Pete'' Knight of Palmdale.

``You need someone who can hit the ground running in Sacramento. Because of term limits, you have to be effective immediately.''

The 2006 primary filing period does not begin until Feb. 13, but potential candidates are dipping toes into the political waters before deciding whether to dive in. Among them is Jim Alger, a member of the Northridge West Neighborhood Council.

Richman, R-Granada Hills, is running for state treasurer as his third and final term in the Assembly approaches its end.

Smyth said he has been meeting with community leaders throughout the district and conducting preliminary fundraising, and he expects to decide by fall whether to seek the Assembly seat.

``Based on the response I get throughout the district, ... that will dictate what I end up doing,'' he said.

Smyth already has backing from Councilman Bob Kellar. ``If Cameron makes his decision to run for that Assembly seat, he's going to be a formidable candidate,'' Kellar said. He and Smyth were first elected to the Santa Clarita City Council in 2000 and re-elected last year.

``Although he is still a young man, he's been involved in state politics. ... He certainly understands and appreciates politics at the local level. He is committed to a life of public service. If he runs, I'll give him support,'' Kellar declared.

Smyth said he would need to raise funds effectively and to build name recognition outside of the Santa Clarita Valley. Stumping in a broad area that includes Northridge and Simi Valley isn't the same as canvassing only in Valencia and Canyon Country, he noted.

``Certainly fundraising is a key component,'' Smyth said. ``But, also, there's the district. Instead of representing 170,000 people, you're representing 430,000. It's building and expanding the base.

``I don't think it's uphill. It's a component.''

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Cameron Smyth

Looking at prospects