PROFILE: SANG KORMAN : Candidate With 2 Strikes Says He’s Still in Game

Just keep those jokes about being a three-time loser to yourself. Sang Korman says the third time will definitely be the charm.

Korman, a developer and businessman who spent nearly $500,000 of his own money in two failed attempts to unseat Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), is stepping up to the political plate for a third swing at the veteran congressman. He plans to run again next year in the Republican primary election for the 21st Congressional District.

“Of course I’m running,” the 52-year-old Korean-born Korman said matter-of-factly during an interview at his Calabasas office. “It’s my philosophy--Sang never quits until his goal is completed. My support has increased since 1988. It’s going up. Gallegly’s support is going down. I think I can make it this time.”

He said he is more energetic than Gallegly and has “more views on the way this country should go. We need to change the educational system so that children get a better education. We also need something to restore family values.”

He added that he would work to make English the official language of the United States: “We need one language to unify this nation. If people want to live in this country, they should study English.”

But although Korman feels his support is increasing, it remains questionable whether it is significant enough to defeat Gallegly, who was elected to Congress in 1986 after serving as mayor of Simi Valley.

In 1988, Korman captured less than 14% of the vote despite outspending Gallegly more than 2-to-1. That campaign, his first, cost $350,000, including $245,000 of his own money.

Korman fared better in 1990, but still only managed 31.6% of the vote to Gallegly’s 68.4%. In that race, at least $200,000 was his own.

This time, Korman says, he wants to stay out of his pocket. “I don’t want to spend more of my own money. I only want to use campaign money that I raise from my constituents. I would like to start fund-raising by the end of the month.”

Gallegly appeared nonplussed by Korman’s repeat bid. “I’m just going to continue to do the job I was elected to do,” he said. “I respect anyone who exercises their right as a citizen to run for public office.”

Korman said he plans to renew his strategy of attacking Gallegly for his involvement in an internal FBI investigation of four Los Angeles-based agents in 1987 and 1988. The agents were the target of a yearlong inquiry after they lobbied Gallegly in 1987 to support a then-pending bill to raise FBI overtime pay.

Gallegly has said he did not file the complaints against the agents that prompted the inquiry.

But documents released by the FBI show that he repeatedly complained to high-ranking FBI officials that the agents threatened him and conspired to defeat him in his reelection campaign.

Commercials by Korman that ran during the last campaign claimed that Gallegly covered up his role in the investigation, which eventually cleared the agents of any wrongdoing.

Korman said he will keep criticizing Gallegly for not authorizing FBI documents relating to the inquiry to be released. “I’m still wondering why he refuses to release the papers if he has nothing to hide.”

Gallegly said the inquiry was a non-issue and cited his support from law enforcement.

But Korman said the inquiry will be an issue in the campaign. “People are talking, talking, talking,” he said.

The self-assured businessman also has a nonpolitical ace up his sleeve. He’s manufacturing a limited-edition solid-gold golf putter with ruby inlays. It will sell for $18,000. A cheaper sterling silver putter will sell for $850.

He said, “It’s for the person who has everything and wants something extra.”

Like a congressional seat.