Powerful Public Safety Unions Endorse Katz, Three Incumbents

By Teresa Rochester

In what is traditionally viewed as the most important endorsement of the campaign season, the police and firefighters' unions endorsed former councilman Herb Katz and the three incumbents -- Michael Feinstein, Ken Genser and Richard Bloom in the race for four open seats in November.

Candidates said they were pleased with the endorsement and acknowledged that the nod of the powerful local unions is one that carries a lot of weight with voters. In the past union members have raised money through their political action committees, posted signs and walked precincts for candidates.

"I think it probably raises your vote count," said Katz, who was endorsed by the unions in his last two successful campaigns for council. "I think it's a big boost. I think it's a good jump-start. I'm very pleased."

"I've worked hard the last four years to serve this community," said Feinstein, who did not receive the public safety unions' endorsement in 1996. "I am overjoyed that the police and firefighters unions thought enough of my record to endorse me."

"I'm very happy. It's an honor to have their continued support," said Mayor Ken Genser, who has served three terms on the council. "I think it's one of the more important ones [endorsements]. Personally it means a lot.

"One of the most important functions of government is to make sure people are secure," Genser said. "Having the support of the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday is very meaningful to me personally."

Historically the City's police union has endorsed candidates on both sides of the political fence. This year was no different.

Incumbents, Feinstein, Genser and Bloom who have been endorsed by the influential tenants group Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights, are part of the council's SMRR super-majority. Katz is a vocal critic of the SMRR-controlled council.

The track record of candidates endorsed by the Police Officers Association is a strong one -- five of the seven sitting City Council candidates were endorsed by the union.

Like Feinstein, Councilman Paul Rosenstein, who will not seek re-election, did not receive the association's endorsement in his independent bid in1996. He did, however, get the unions' backing as a SMRR candidate in 1992.

"They have a pretty good track record of picking winners," said Bruce Cameron, a political analyst for SMRR.

Candidates covet the endorsement of the police officers union and for good reason. Cameron said the group is one of the top power brokers in the City, behind SMRR and the Chamber of Commerce. In the last election cycle the union raised between $50,000 and $60,000 for candidates.

"That makes them one of the major players," he said. "They are very active politically in the City. More so than in most cities."

Former councilman Bob Gabriel said that without the endorsement candidates may have a more difficult time campaigning.

"It makes it difficult for the other candidates to compete with those candidates that are backed by police and fire associations, especially if they provide funding and workers," Gabriel said. "Unfortunately (the endorsement) doesn't necessarily represent the actual issues that are so important to this community."

Bloom, who was elected to the council last year in a special election, said that getting the endorsement a second time was not anything he took for granted.

"I'm very pleased," said Bloom. "I didn't take it for granted that it would happen again. I'm pleased they would endorse me. I'm pleased they endorsed Ken and Michael. It's a big endorsement. They have a long standing tradition of endorsing candidates in the community."