Magic Johnson Says He Could Be Player in 2005 L.A. Mayor’s Race

Basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson said Monday that he will run for mayor of Los Angeles if he decides the city needs a new voice to replace Mayor James K. Hahn.

Johnson supported Hahn’s campaign last year, but said the mayor had made “a big, big mistake” by opposing Police Chief Bernard C. Parks’ bid for reappointment.

“I’m not just going to run because Mayor Hahn is not doing a good job,” Johnson said.

“I’m going to run because the city needs a new voice, a new vision, and I think that I could do the job. That’s why I would run.

“And I would run for the people, not for me. It would be for the people of Los Angeles.”

The former Lakers player made his remarks at the Magic Johnson Theatres at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza after announcing his endorsement of Gov. Gray Davis for reelection.

Davis, who backed Hahn’s rival, Antonio Villaraigosa, in the mayoral race, was standing at Johnson’s side.

“Mayor Hahn--he would probably admit himself--has made some mistakes,” Johnson said. “It hasn’t been a good road for him right at this time, but we’ve still got 31/2 years to go.”

Hahn’s term expires in June 2005. His overwhelming support last year among black voters was a key to his election. But his opposition to the reappointment of Parks, who is black, has angered many of his most prominent African American supporters, including Johnson.

“He has to do a better job not just in our community, but in the Valley too,” Johnson said.

Hahn political strategist Bill Carrick defended the mayor’s decision to oppose Parks’ reappointment. “Instead of coming up with some behind-the-scenes maneuvering, Jim Hahn was honest,” he said.