RIORDAN ELECTS NOT TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

Mayor Richard Riordan announced from the nation's capital Wednesday that he has decided against running for governor, saying there is too much still left to be done in Los Angeles.

Riordan, lobbying federal officials in Washington, D.C., said he had been considering the race very seriously.

``I was convinced that I could win,'' Riordan said in a telephone interview.

``But when I put all the hundreds of things together, I decided I wanted to remain mayor. There are a lot of challenges ahead in our city and one of the key ones - education; I decided I could still lead the revolution from Los Angeles.''

A new twist was thrown into the Democratic race for governor when Rep. Jane Harman of Torrance decided to enter the primary - a candidacy that could attract some of the same voters that Riordan or Sen. Dianne Feinstein might have drawn.

Riordan's decision not to enter the Republican field provided some relief to Attorney General Dan Lungren, the only declared GOP candidate.

Riordan said he was not deterred that Lungren had the field to himself for so long.

``In the last week, people (had) committed up to $8 million to me for the race,'' Riordan said. ``Say you discount that to $5 million and that's still more than Lungren has raised so far.''

At the same time, the decision by Harman, 52, a three-term congresswoman, posed new challenges to Democrats Lt. Gov. Gray Davis and businessman Al Checchi.

Harman, whose husband, Sydney, is the wealthy manufacturer of audio products out of a Northridge plant, said she plans to use some of her own wealth to finance the campaign, but also planned to seek contributions.

``I am confident we will have the resources to get our message out across the state,'' Harman said, refusing to say how much of her own money will be used in that effort.

Harman said she came to her decision after Feinstein declined to enter.

``After consulting with my family and looking into my heart, I decided to seek the governorship to bring truly relevant experience, an informed vision and a lifetime of commitments to issues such as choice,'' Harman said.

Speaking at a luncheon in Sacramento, Davis predicted he would defeat her.

``She's a first-rate legislator and she will make a contribution to this race,'' Davis said of Harman, but added, ``She's not going to win.''

Davis said he hasn't had a chance to conduct any polls to measure Harman's popularity among voters, but said that he doesn't believe Harman will gain support solely because she is a woman.

Republican pollster Arnie Steinberg, who had polled for Riordan's prospects in the governor's race, said Harman could be a formidable candidate because of her records in Congress and as a moderate Democrat.

``In addition, she's a woman, which sets her apart from the other candidates,'' Steinberg said.

Political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe said Harman should be able to draw the votes of women - Democrat and Republicans - as well as GOP moderates that could be a factor in the open June 3 primaries where voters can vote for candidates from either party.

``She will inherit the support that would have gone to Feinstein and could draw voters from Checchi,'' Jeffe said. ``She is also a moderate in a race where Davis is appealing to liberals and Lungren is going after conservatives.''

Harman acknowledged she faces a difficult challenge.

``Running for governor is a daunting challenge,'' Harman said. ``I recognize members of Congress are not well-known outside of their district. But, I believe if I run a first-rate campaign, I can be elected.''

Davis dismissed the notion that many Democrats are unenthusiastic about his candidacy, which prompted efforts to convince others, particularly Feinstein, to enter the race.

``We have lots of people who want me to be the next governor,'' Davis said.

-- Daily News Sacramento reporter Paul Hefner contributed to this story.

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Photo: (Color) Richard Riordan

Remaining as mayor