RIORDAN'S IMPACT EFFORT TO LEAVE LEGACY YIELDS MIXED RESULTS.

Byline: Beth Barrett Staff Writer

Mayor Richard Riordan's efforts to leave as his two-term legacy a city led by his hand-picked successor and nine other endorsed elected officials were producing mixed results in early returns Tuesday.

But with former top mayoral aide, Brentwood real estate entrepreneur Steve Soboroff, falling behind former state Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and City Attorney James Hahn in the race to replace Riordan, the lame-duck mayor's efforts to preserve political and ideological continuity in Los Angeles appeared to be faltering - barring a resurgence when Valley votes are counted.

Further in early returns, only five of his other picks were either leading or on pace for a June runoff. His picks in the two other citywide races were split: Three of his four council choices were on track, but only one of his three Los Angeles Unified School District candidates was on course to win or make it into a runoff.

Riordan's pick for city attorney, Deputy Mayor Rocky Delgadillo, in early returns was in line for a runoff with the early leader, Councilman Michael Feuer.

But in the race for controller, Riordan candidate Laurette Healey was trailing Councilwoman Laura Chick, who took a majority of the early votes.

Richard Lichtenstein, a public affairs consultant, said Soboroff and the others endorsed by Riordan gained enormously from his backing, but didn't have the ``cohesive'' support of the mayor's former ``brain trust,'' including attorneys Bill Wardlaw and Ted Stein who broke away to back Hahn.

``The cohesive group that helped Dick, Steve didn't have the benefit of all those individuals,'' Lichtenstein said.

Long-time political consultant Joe Cerrell said Riordan, as much as any recent mayor or politician, wants his influence felt after he leaves office in July.

``If you think Bill Clinton was traumatized when he left office, I think Dick Riordan will be as traumatized,'' Cerrell said.

But Allan Hoffenblum, a Los Angeles-based Republican consultant, said there are too many other factors in the election to view the results as a referendum on Riordan's tenure.

``You can't say that anymore than it's a referendum on Gov. Gray Davis, depending on how Villaraigosa does'' in the race for mayor, Hoffenblum said.

The better measure of Riordan's influence, he said, is in the lower-profile races. But, he added, the mayor took on some candidates, such as Healey in the controller's race, who were long shots at best.

``He took some risks in recruiting unknown candidates against better known candidates,'' Hoffenblum said. ``If Laurette forces Chick into a runoff, it would be a mild upset.''

Of Riordan's four picks for City Council, the two incumbents - Cindy Miscikowski, who splits a Valley/Pacific Palisades district, and Alex Padilla, who represents the Northeast Valley - faced little or, in Padilla's case, no opposition.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Weiss, another Riordan pick, appeared to be pushing former state Sen. Tom Hayden into a runoff for the 5th District.

Francine Oschin, a deputy to Councilman Hal Bernson, stood a chance to make the runoff to replace Chick in her Valley district.

In the LAUSD races, where Riordan made a particularly deep impact in the last election, two of his three candidates were lagging for a runoff berth in early returns, with Matthew Rodman running third in his district, and Tom Riley trailing incumbent Julie Korenstein, who had a majority of the early vote.

Jose Huizar, Riordan's choice to replace Vickie Castro, was leading.

Hoffenblum, the Republican consultant, said Riordan may have less success with his school board slate this year because there are so many races, making it more difficult for voters to focus on a single issue.

Consultants said Riordan, however, likely will continue to remain a factor through the general election, both financially and through his personal and political influence.

In the days leading up to Tuesday's election, Riordan did television spots for Soboroff and Delgadillo.

WHO RIORDAN BACKED AND WHY

Mayor

Steve Soboroff: Loyalty and a belief that Soboroff's business background will continue Riordan programs.

City Attorney

Rocky Delgadillo: Loyalty and a belief Delgadillo is the best adminstrator among the candidates.

City Council

Cindy Miscikowski: Opposed her four years ago, but has been working more with her on various programs.

Alex Padilla: Endorsed him two years ago, and the two have worked closely on a number of projects.

Francine Oschin: Believes her current background as a council deputy makes her the most qualified.

Jack Weiss: Many of his closest allies back Weiss, and Riordan also favors Weiss over Tom Hayden, who ran for mayor against Riordan in 1997.

School Board

Tom Riley: Riordan recruited Riley to run against Julie Korenstein because of mayor's belief she opposes reforms he has proposed.

Matthew Rodman: Recruited Rodman to run against Valerie Fields after she supported teacher salary increase.

Jose Huizer: Recruited Huizar to run against Vicki Castro because of her opposition to Riordan's reform proposals. Castro decided against seeking re-election.

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, box, chart

Photo: (1) Steve Soboroff

(2) Rocky Delgadillo

(3) Tom Riley

(4) Matthew Rodman

(5) Cindy Miscikowski

(6) Alex Padilla

(7) Francine Oschin

(8) Jack Weiss

Box: WHOM RIORDAN BACKED AND WHY (See text)

Chart: City of L.A.