Former California Assemblyman Keith Richman dies

Richman died Friday night at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He was 56.

"Keith Richman was a great leader and passionate public servant," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said. "He advocated for so many important causes in California, including health care and pension reform, and his work for our state made a lasting impact that will be remembered."

Colleagues remembered the longtime Northridge resident's political courage in being one of the few prominent elected officials who supported San Fernando Valley cityhood before the movement became popular.

"There are few people that have done so much for the San Fernando Valley," said Richard Close, who was chairman of the secession effort.

"Keith was a warrior, and we needed warriors," said attorney David Fleming, a major backer of secession.

Richman gained a unique place in San Fernando Valley history by winning an office that never existed.

He handily defeated nine other candidates to serve as mayor of the San Fernando Valley if the area's bid to become a separate city had gone through in the same November 2002 election. Valley secession from Los Angeles won a majority among voters in the Valley itself but was rejected by a wide margin in the rest of the city.