Up and down side of endorsements

If campaign endorsements meant everything - or meant even as much as they used to - next month's election for a City Council seat in the northwest San Fernando Valley would be no contest.Kevin Modesti in the Daily News.

Candidate Mitch Englander lists endorsements from more than 280 organizations and individuals, including at least 50 public officials. Rival Brad Smith is a distant second, listing 66 endorsements on his website, including three office-holders.

Their four opponents in the 12th District election on March 8 advertise no endorsements on their websites.

Englander said the long list of supporters should impress voters: He said it demonstrates his broad support and "shows I'm independent, because I've been able to work with so many different groups."