The last time he ran, Antonio Villaraigosa seemed like a sure bet. Ahead of then city attorney James K. Hahn in the polls, he ended up on the losing end of a rough campaign by the end of it.

Since his defeat, Villaraigosa has waged a successful campaign to represent the city’s 14th district as a councilman,, and seems to be running neck and neck with the incumbent on the way to the March primary election, although campaign watchers have pointed out that he doesn’t generate the same electricity he did in 2001.

Villaraigosa, known for his personal charms, has emphasized the specifics of his plans for the city less than the other four major candidates, seemingly preferring to let his reputation as an able leader and compromiser to pull him into a runoff election. It seems unlikely that any candidate will win a majority vote in the March 8 primary.

As Speaker of the Assembly, Villaraigosa says he led the fight to expand the Healthy Families program and secure a $2.1 billion bond for urban parks. As a councilmember, Villaraigosa is widely credited with helping to end the 2003 MTA strike, while more than one of Hahn’s opponents has criticized the mayor for failing to show up for many MTA board meetings.

Last week, in an effort to reach out to San Fernando Valley residents, Villaraigosa spoke at a meeting of Valley VOTE, and received a somewhat warmer reception, and a significantly smaller turnout, than the mayor did when he attended.

Villaraigosa said that although he was against secession, he fought in the Assembly to allow Angelenos to vote on the issue.

In announcing his plan for the Valley, Villaraigosa spoke to the most hotly debated issues of the day, including development, traffic and public safety. He cited his opposition to the Ahmanson Ranch development, and promised to phase out Stage II jets and impose stronger curfews for helicopters at Van Nuys Airport.

Villaraigosa promised to fully staff the new North Valley police station and put more officers on patrol. He said he would improve delivery of basic city services, repair more potholes and repave Valley streets after utility and cable companies have installed pipes or cables.

He promised to work regularly in the city’s Van Nuys offices, and hire a full-time Valley deputy mayor who is a “grownup” rather than a kid right out of college.

Seizing on the closest thing that this election has to a scandal, the pay-to-play controversy centered around some of the mayor’s staff, Villaraigosa said he would remove lobbyists from city boards and commissions, ban contributors from receiving “no bid” contracts, and require independent expenditure committees to file in advance.

Villaraigosa said that building new industries around alternative energy technologies, while recruiting major employers and working to stop runaway production will be centerpieces of his plan to bring jobs to the Valley.

Question: Why do you want to run?

Answer: I’m a native Angeleno, and on my mother’s side my family has been here for 100 years. I’m running for mayor of Los Angeles because I believe in Los Angeles and its promise … (but) the city needs strong leadership, with a vision for its future.