Bernson Campaign Staff Reshuffled for Runoff

Shaking up his campaign staff after his weak showing in the April 9 primary election, Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson has replaced a key political adviser and a consultant who produced his direct-mail brochures.

Bernson, who faces a tough June 4 runoff against Board of Education member Julie Korenstein for his northwest San Fernando Valley seat, also intends to speak directly to news reporters--rather than through a press consultant--for the balance of the race.

A spokesman said Bernson has hired Harvey Englander, a well-known political consultant based in Orange County, to advise him on strategy and produce campaign mail for the runoff campaign. Englander replaces Ron Biron, a key Bernson political adviser who is deputy executive officer of the state Senate Rules Committee, and Robert Gouty, a Covina-based mail consultant who generally works for conservative candidates.