Richard Riordan

Mayor of Los Angeles, California from 1993-2001. He defeated councilperson Michael Woo in the election to succeed retiring mayor Tom Bradley. A Republican in a predominately-Democrat city he made education reform a priority and succeeded in changing the face of the Board of Education by sponsoring his own slate of candidates.

Old money, long-time resident of Los Angeles. Grew up rich during the depression.Started law firm Riordan & McKenzie in 1973, now an established firm in L.A.Owner of the Original Pantry, one of L.A's longest-surviving restaurants.Avid book collector.Probable candidite for California governor.Supporter of Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, some say because of ties to her developer husband.