SPEAKER PLANS RUN FOR MAYOR; HERTZBERG BACKED FOR ASSEMBLY POST.

Byline: Terri Hardy Sacramento Bureau

Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, D-Los Angeles, announced Tuesday he will resign his leadership position in April to run for mayor of Los Angeles and was backing Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, politically and financially as his successor.

The announcement set the stage for a showdown between Hertzberg and Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, D-Panorama City, and all but assured the San Fernando Valley would have its first legislator to win the powerful speaker's post.

Hertzberg was widely regarded as the front-runner because of Villaraigosa's endorsement and the $1 million the speaker turned over to him to use to help Democratic Assembly candidates statewide in next year's election. Villaraigosa, who is term-limited out of re-election, promised to give him $500,000 more if Hertzberg wins the speakership.

``He is clearly the best leader to lead the caucus,'' Villaraigosa said. ``Bob has the vast majority of support.''

A new speaker will be chosen Jan. 24 after the Legislature reconvenes.

Local community leaders said Hertzberg's election would make the Valley a ``big winner,'' including budget perks for local programs, as well as consideration when crucial decisions are being made on transportation projects, secession and the breakup of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

``Thinking about the Valley is Bob's second nature,'' said Richard Katz, a former state assemblyman.

``He'll be there at the table when budget and legislative issues are being considered and he'll be thinking about the Valley's fair share.''

Hertzberg agreed that the speaker's clout will be instrumental in passing key legislation of interest to the Valley. If he is elected, he said, his first action will be to move the speaker's office from downtown Los Angeles to the Van Nuys government center.

``In terms of sending a message, that's a big first step,'' Hertzberg said.

Villaraigosa and Hertzberg, who are longtime friends and share a residence when they are in Sacramento, said a months-long passing of the baton - culminating with Villaraigosa surrendering the speaker's gavel in late April - would ensure a smooth transition and set a model in an era of term limits.

Also, the March 7 legislative elections would not be disrupted and Hertzberg would have more time to put together his own leadership team, they said. Villaraigosa has about $2.5 million in his campaign chest.

Villaraigosa said Hertzberg has the 41 votes needed to win the position - including most, if not all, of the Latino caucus' support.

Cardenas disputed that, saying it was ``far from the truth.'' After the announcement was made public, Cardenas said he received multiple calls from members of the Democratic caucus.

``They were surprised and shocked, and were encouraging me to continue,'' said Cardenas, a close ally of state Sen. Richard Polanco, a powerful East Side Democrat. ``Somebody is over-embellishing Hertzberg's level of support.''

Gale Kaufman, a Democratic consultant, said it would be extremely difficult to challenge Villaraigosa's plan for a calm transition.

``I can't imagine anyone but Bob Hertzberg becoming speaker,'' she said.

Villaraigosa said he had informed Gov. Gray Davis, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco, and Assembly minority leader Scott Baugh, an Orange County Republican, about the planned leadership transition.

Burton was in the hallway after the press conference, and said he believed that Hertzberg, a savvy politician, would do a good job leading the Assembly.

``He's smart and a quick study,'' said Burton. ``He understands a political situation to a greater extent than Antonio did, and (Villaraigosa) did a hell of a job.

``I would not want to lead that house. It's fractious and the Republicans are uncooperative. They take a two-hour caucus before they go to the bathroom.''

Hertzberg, a lawyer, is known for hugging his colleagues. Asked to describe Hertzberg's biggest weakness, Burton replied that he ``hugs too much.''

Hertzberg is viewed as more moderate politically than Villaraigosa, and he would likely get along well with the governor and understand Davis' desire to control the volume of legislation, said Garry South, Davis' senior political adviser.

``I think Bob will bring an extra measure of discipline to the Assembly, in my opinion something sorely needed,'' South said.

Katz said the timing of the leadership change will be beneficial in allowing Hertzberg to get up to speed before he is swamped with legislative policy decisions and committee selections.

The extra few months of exposure in his leadership position is bound to help Villaraigosa in his bid for mayor, he added.

Villaraigosa is keenly aware that voters in the San Fernando Valley will play a key role in that election, and this year has pushed for several local benefits - including $1.8 million for a study of Valley cityhood.

Hertzberg said he has not yet come out in support of any mayoral candidate and denied that there was any deal with Villaraigosa for Hertzberg to deliver Valley support.

Although Villaraigosa noted several times that what he was doing was for the good of the Democratic caucus, it was clear that leaving his leadership post was difficult - especially with his political future uncertain.

``Who wants to give up a job where you can call anyone in the world and get a call back?'' Villaraigosa asked.

For the moment, he is still in charge. ``There's no such thing as power sharing - it doesn't work.''

Hertzberg, who represents the 40th Assembly District, was first elected in 1996. Term limits will force him to leave the Assembly in 2002.

Villaraigosa credits Hertzberg for playing a key role in his 1998 bid for speaker. In return, Villaraigosa named Hertzberg chairman of the powerful Assembly Rules Committee.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Hertzberg

(2) Villaraigosa