Sherman, Sybert Face Off in Debate

TARZANA — Seeking the middle ground in a moderate district, congressional candidates Brad Sherman and Rich Sybert sounded strikingly similar pro-choice, pro-environment themes in a debate Tuesday.

But they parted company on the subject of federal regulation of tobacco, gun control and especially House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Sherman and Sybert are the Democrat and Republican candidates in the 24th Congressional District that stretches from Encino to Thousand Oaks to Malibu.

The wide-ranging debate touched on illegal immigration, welfare reform, gun control and Valley secession.

Both Sybert and Sherman said they support the bill by Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) to make it easier for the Valley to secede from Los Angeles, a popular position with the audience of homeowners.

Sherman said he favored federal regulation of the tobacco industry, including a ban on cigarette vending machines, arguing that “You can’t buy any other drug in a machine.” Sybert opposed further involving the government in tobacco sales.

Both took strong positions against illegal immigration. Sybert favors putting the Army at the border. Sherman advocated a tamper-proof worker identification card to catch people who enter the country legally on a visa, then stay past its expiration date.

The candidates’ forum was hosted by the Tarzana Property Owners Assn. at its annual Town Hall meeting at El Caballero Country Club. Century Communications vice-president and cable TV show host Bill Rosendahl was moderator.

The panel also included candidates Dr. Ron Lawrence, from the Natural Law Party, Erich Miller, a Libertarian, and Ralph Shroyer, from the Peace and Freedom Party.

But the real election battle is shaping up between Sherman, a member of the state Board of Equalization, and Sybert, who heads Lanard Toys Inc., the design shop for a Hong Kong-based toy company.

They are vying for the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Anthony Beilenson, (D-Woodland Hills). Beilenson, who has endorsed Sherman, nearly lost to Sybert in 1994. Now that he has established himself in the district, and with Beilenson out of the picture, Sybert sees an opportunity to take the seat this time around.

As a swing district and one of two open congressional seats in California, the outcome in the 24th could make the difference in whether the Republicans or Democrats control the House of Representatives next year, putting it on the must-win list of both parties.

Although he’s several hundred thousand dollars in debt from his losing campaign against Beilenson, Sybert, who lives in Calabasas, has the clout in Republican circles to raise money. Sherman, who resides in Sherman Oaks, put $275,000 of his own money into his war chest last year, ranking fifth nationally in the list of candidates who paid for their own congressional campaigns.

In his opening remarks, Sherman gleefully reported that Speaker Gingrich appeared at Sybert’s fund-raiser Saturday night in Beverly Hills. Sherman, who views Gingrich as an albatross for Sybert, is trying to make Gingrich an issue in the election by pledging not to vote for him as speaker if elected.

“I will do everything I can to make sure that Newt Gingrich is not in charge of the House of Representatives,” Sherman has said.

Irritated, Sybert responded that Mayor Richard Riordan was also at the fund-raiser, and accused Sherman of demagoguery for allegedly misstating the positions of the congressional GOP.

“I do think the Republic Congress started out a little extreme,” Sybert said. “But at least they’re trying.”