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As the shoes continue to drop into newly drawn political districts, former Assembly Speaker and unsuccessful mayoral candidate Robert Hertzberg tells Rick Orlov that he may run in the revamped 27th state Senate district. That district is represented now by Republican Tony Strickland of Simi Valley, who is expected to announce that he'll run instead for Congress in a Ventura County district currently represented by Rep. Elton Gallegly. If Hertzberg does get back in the political game, Orlov notes, "he will be running against fellow Democrat and state Sen. Fran Pavley, whose district was redrawn and she now lives within the boundaries of the new 27th state Senate District."
"When I looked at the district, I saw that it is one perfectly suited to me," Hertzberg said. "I saw some polls and didn't see where Pavley could win. I think I can."Hertzberg, who lives in Woodland Hills, said he believes his moderate politics are needed in Sacramento and fits with the voters of the 27th District - which stretches from eastern Ventura County through the San Fernando Valley up to Santa Clarita.
"When I was elected speaker, it was with a unanimous vote," Hertzberg said. "I work well with people from both parties and I think that's what is needed now."
Modest, as always. In recent years Hertzberg has been pushing solar projects and putting together business deals. After he lost early in the mayor's race in 2005, Hertzberg advised Antonio Villaraigosa, his old Sacramento colleague and buddy, and in 2009 was co-chair of City Atorney Carmen Trutanich's transition team. More recently, Hertzberg has talked about the lack of leadership in Los Angeles. "I've traveled the world, and there was once a great mystique about L.A., but it's gone," he said last year. "And I look at the leadership, and it's gone. No one much cares."