Riordan Run for Governor Gains Support in Party.

MAYOR Richard Riordan has picked up support from several fellow Republicans, including some conservative GOP members from Orange County in a possible bid for governor.

It seems that for some conservative Republicans, just the opportunity to put the statehouse back in Republican hands is worth sacrificing some dearly held principles. This support is crucial, since Riordan is perceived as lacking conservative credentials. (He's pro-choice and has supported several Democrats in their bid for office).

Among the state Republicans signaling their support for a "draft Riordan" movement as reported in the Sacramento-based Political Pulse newsletter: State Sen. Richard Ackerman of Fullerton and 13 Republican Assembly members.

Sixteen Republican members of Congress also have signed on, according to Political Pulse.

Of course, President Bush and his top advisers are continuing to urge Riordan to run for governor. The biggest question now is whether Riordan himself wants the job. Word is that he's not going to make a decision until he returns from a long-planned trip to France next month, where he will be working with the cycling crew of Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France. That would leave him a mere seven months to campaign for the Republican nomination next March 5.

Lining Up for Wachs' Seat

It seems that whenever a political seat opens up after a longtime occupant moves on, a scramble ensues to fill that post. Such is the case in L.A.'s second City Council district, where 30-year council veteran Joel Wachs announced May 30 that he would leave the Council on or about Oct. 1 to assume the presidency of the Andy Warhol Foundation in New York City.

Among the names that have surfaced so far.

Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Residents Association;

Ken Bernstein, former aide to Councilwoman Laura Chick who is now with the L.A. Conservancy;

Wendy Greuel, government affairs director for DreamWorks SKG and a board member of the after school program L.A.'s Best; and Mark Dierking, a staffer for Councilman Alex Padilla and husband of school board member Caprice Young.

Local political consultant Jorge Flores notes that the field of candidates is likely to grow, especially since the election will take place some time after Thanksgiving. (By law, an election can't occur before 60 days have elapsed after a seat becomes vacant.)

And with more candidates expected to join the fray, it's highly likely that no single candidate will capture 50 percent of the vote, thereby forcing a runoff between the top two vote-getters.