June 01--With less than a week to go before the election, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced his endorsement Wednesday of Janice Hahn in the race to replace Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.
Hahn, who was one of Garcetti's colleagues on the Los Angeles City Council before running for the position she now holds in Congress, is one of three candidates running for the county post.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, Garcetti said he looks forward to "working with her to address the tough problems -- and opportunities -- that face the entire region."
"I've seen first-hand Janice Hahn's devotion and compassion when it comes to standing up for poor and working-class families and getting things done for the people she represents. Janice's tenacity is precisely what we need on the Board of Supervisors," he said.
Hahn's campaign touted the Garcetti endorsement as "showcasing the continued strength, organizational prowess, and wide ranging appeal of her campaign."
Knabe's seat, representing the South Bay and southeastern portions of the county, is one of two seats on the powerful board up for grabs this year as the incumbents are being forced out by term limits.
Along with Hahn, the field of candidates includes Knabe aide and former Manhattan Beach Councilman Steve Napolitano and Whittier school board member and pastor Ralph Pacheco.
Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >>
Hahn and Pacheco are Democrats; Napolitano is a Republican.
Hahn has raised more than $1.3 million in the race so far, and outside groups, including taxi and billboard companies, have spent another $20,000 on publicity for her campaign. Napolitano has raised more than $1 million by putting in more than $760,000 of his own money.
abby.sewell@latimes.com
Twitter: @sewella
