With City Attorney Carmen Trutanich now firmly committed to running for District Attorney in 2012, a number of frontrunners are being identified as likely challengers for the city's top cop slot which will become available in 2013. 

Trutanich will not be able to run for City Attorney regardless of the outcome of his DA Campaign as his failure to win the DA election guarantees that he will not be re-elected as City Attorney and success means he will vacate the Office in January 2013.

We now take a look at those who are believed to be in the running.

PAUL KREKORIAN

Los Angeles Councilmember Paul Krekorian (CD2) has stated that he's not interested in running for City Attorney, yet, but rumors persist that pressure is building to try to convince the popular Valley leader to change his mind.

Krekorian recently joined the City Attorney and Supervisor Yaroslavsky at a meeting of the Studio City Neighborhood Council, perhaps a sign that he is warming up to the idea and is counting on Trutanich to support his candidacy.

MIKE FEUER

State Assemblyman Mike Feuer almost became City Attorney when he narrowly lost to Rocky Delgadillo in 2001. He will be termed out of Sacramento in 2012, and is said to be "interested" in trying again.

Feuer is believed to be the top choice of democrat party leaders, and would be able to count on the same strong support from LA's Westside that will be critical to success.

JANE USHER

Rumors abound that Special Assistant City Attorney Jane Usher could throw her hat in the ring to replace he boss. Insiders say that Trutanich had been concerned that Usher could ultimately challenge him in 2013, but he is likely less concerned now that he is committed to run for DA.  

Usher is undoubtedly the darling of the Neighborhood Councils for her work on banning billboards and medical marijuana dispensaries, and her knowledge of the way City Hall works as been central to making up for Trutanich's shortcomings. Usher is a tireless workaholic with a sound grasp of planning issues, but little experience in criminal law, other than what she has learned in her time alongside her boss.