Advantage Hertzberg

Once again both Jim Hahn has failed to get the endorsement of a local Democratic club. But this time instead of an abstention, the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats went with local boy Bob Hertzberg.

Now it should be noted that one of the founders of the SFVYD is Stuart Waldman (pictured left), a former Hertzberg staffer, but two other founders are Tony Cardenas (is he too old for the group now?) and Alex Padilla, hardly Hertzberg supporters.

In the interest of fairness - since we posted Tony Villar's press release - here is Hertzberg's. If Jim Hahn can manage to get a Democratic (or Republican or Green or Libertarian or Reform or Peace & Freedom or anyone) club to endorse him, we'll post his press release here too.

Valley Young Democrats Endorse Bob Hertzberg

Former Assembly Speaker gets rare Dem endorsement among candidates in Mayoral primary

Encino, January 21, 2005: Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate Bob Hertzberg got a major campaign boost Thursday night, receiving the endorsement of the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats (SFVYD), an organization for 18-35 year old Democratic activists in the Valley. In a week when the L.A. County Democratic Party and the L.A. County Young Democrats (LACYD) were unable to unite behind a single candidate, SFVYD overwhelmingly voted to endorse Sherman Oaks businessman and former State Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg.

The decision to endorse, made at a meeting of its members at the Encino Women’s Club, followed interviews of all five leading candidates conducted over the last five months, and a Young Professionals Mayoral Debate co-sponsored by SFVYD, LACYD and KPCC 89.3 FM on Monday, January 17 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. SFVYD President David Phelps said, “Mr. Hertzberg is a candidate with rock solid ties to the San Fernando Valley, a bold progressive leadership style, and a passionate vision for the City of Los Angeles. During his interview, and over the course of the campaign, we have found Mr. Hertzberg to be a creative thinker with practical and achievable ideas for the City of Los Angeles and all its inhabitants.”

SFVYD Political Director Adrin Nazarian explained the club’s willingness to back the insurgent candidate. “Mr. Hertzberg is the candidate to change L.A. and has offered a convincing strategy on how he will be putting forth a coalition to get into and win in the run-off.” Mr. Nazarian went on to say that, “While Mr. Hertzberg is not currently leading in the polls, our organization believes his campaign has the resources and emerging support needed to make it to the run-off and elect him the next Mayor of Los Angeles.”

SFVYD, which has a $13,000 annual operating budget and a history of youth activism across the state, will mobilize young voters to volunteer and vote for Mr. Hertzberg in the March 8 primary election. Mr. Phelps said, “This is an organization that gets things done. Bob Hertzberg is a leader known for those same attributes. His campaign is taking off, and we believe SFVYD can lend an able hand to its success.”

In response to Thursday’s announcement, Hertzberg conveyed his gratitude for the endorsement on behalf of young voters. “To have the support of the young democrats is a great honor,” said Hertzberg. “Their confidence in me is a testament to the way I will approach my time at City Hall; one of a boundless optimism for the future of Los Angeles.”

Founded in 1994, by Los Angeles City Council President Alex Padilla, Los Angeles Councilmember Tony Cardenas, and Stuart Waldman, Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats serves as the premiere democratic organization for young professionals north of Mulholland Dr . For more information, visit www.sfvyd.org.