Which Way, L.A.?

The Embattled Office of Mayor Hahn

With just one year to go until the next city election, State Senator Richard Alarc-n is the only announced challenger to Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn. Several other high profile politicians are also reportedly assessing their chances. Meantime, both LA County and federal grand juries are looking into alleged political favoritism in the granting of lucrative contracts by the City of LA-s three biggest departments: the Airport, Harbor, and Department of Water and Power. Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards has been chief liaison to those departments, and also a major political fundraiser for the Mayor. Just last week, after several council members called for his ouster, Edwards resigned. Three other deputy mayors have also announced their intention to leave. Mayor Hahn talks about the grand juries, the lack of money for the LAPD, and next year's election. Reporter's Notebook: Political Analysis of Issues Confronting Mayor Hahn Raphe Sonenshein is professor of political science at Cal State Fullerton and the author of Politics in Black and White. A long-time political observer, Sonenshein assesses the challenges facing Mayor Hahn, a man who has shunned the spotlight but never lost a city election. He also looks at the success of LAPD Chief William Bratton and how it could affect Hahn's re-election next year.