LA County Supervisor race: Top 3 talk what it takes

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It's a tight race for Los Angeles County Supervisor, but the top three candidates are trying to differentiate themselves to voters.

The final candidates' forum for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' Third District was a polite and fact-filled dialogue held at the Stephen S. Wise Temple.

The top three contenders heard as much comment from the community on housing, health and rehabilitation as they were given time to answer.

The candidates are in a tight race for the open seat to represent the Westside and the Valley. While anyone who wins more than 50 percent of the vote could win outright June 3, the three Democrats conceded it's going to be a top two runoff in November.

John Duran, who has been on the West Hollywood City Council for 14 years, says he's a pro-business social activist.

"I can be very progressive on social issues, but on fiscal, very centrist, very middle-of-the-road, having to say no to friends sometimes, and keep a tight rein on government spending," he said.

Sheila Kuehl says her 14 years in State Legislature gives her experience in the same issues facing the county.

"Frankly, this is the only job that would allow me to use everything I learned about healthcare, and mental health and transportation and all the state issues that the county has to carry out," she said.

Former Santa Monica Councilman Bobby Shriver says his late personal entry in politics was preceded by experience in business and nonprofits.

"I'm a creative person, I didn't run until I was 50 years old, I have a lot of private sector experience, job creation experience, I think that I will be able to do things in the county that people think are impossible now," he said.

The candidates want to succeed the 20-years of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who was termed out of the seat after leaving a long record of accomplishment in health, transportation, and the arts. Each of the supervisors represent about 2 million constituents, controlling a $26 billion budget.

Raphael Sonenshein, of the Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles, observes there will be a sharp learning curve for any of the three.

"I don't think anybody has any idea what this job is," he said. "But they do come to realize it's extremely powerful but often not visible."

Because of term limits, four of the five county supervisors will be new in just two years' time, so lack of seniority is not the campaign issue it once was.