Gelman Enters Race for Post Beilenson Vacating

The former campaign manager of the proposed California initiative to abolish affirmative action has jumped into the Republican primary for the 24th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills).

Joe C. Gelman, who resigned as head of the “California civil rights initiative” campaign in the fall, has decided to compete against Calabasas attorney Richard Sybert and two other contenders for the Republican nomination.

The other candidates are Stephen C. Brecht, an estate planner and author from Woodland Hills, and Kyo Jhin, a business owner and educator from Malibu.

Gelman, a 35-year-old political consultant and former Los Angeles civil service commissioner, said he entered the race at the last minute because he was disappointed with the views and leadership potential of other GOP candidates.

“I would say I’m a little bit more conservative than Mr. Sybert,” Gelman said. “But then it doesn’t take much to be moderately to the right of Mr. Sybert. . . . Richard Sybert’s views and Tony Beilenson’s views are too close for comfort.”

Sybert dismissed Gelman’s comments as “political rhetoric, not reality. . . . I consider Joe a friend and I’m sorry that he has chosen to do something that will have no positive effect.”

Gelman lives in Westwood, which is not in the 24th district, which encompasses most of Thousand Oaks, Malibu and western portions of the San Fernando Valley.

Federal law does not require him to live in the district and he said he has no intentions of moving.

“I could do the phony-baloney thing and rent some space in the district for three or four months,” Gelman said. “I believe that is hypocritical. I plan on not engaging in that kind of hypocrisy. I’ll let the chips fall where they may.”