Developer Again May Challenge Gallegly in Republican Primary

Developer Sang Korman is considering another run against U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly this year, despite receiving just 14% of the vote in a well-financed 1988 primary campaign against the Republican incumbent, a spokesman said.

“He’s exploring the possibility of running,” said Bob Lavoie, campaign consultant to the Korean-American businessman. “I honestly and truthfully couldn’t say he’s made a definite decision.”

During the 1988 GOP primary, Korman spent an estimated $350,000 to win 9,467 votes, or about $37 per vote. Gallegly, who spent about $170,000, received 55,721 votes to win his second term in the 21st congressional district, which covers eastern Ventura County, northern and western parts of the San Fernando Valley and Ojai, Fillmore and Santa Catalina Island.

In early January, Korman mailed letters to Republican voters in the district, charging that Gallegly has been “ineffectual” in addressing problems such as pollution, traffic congestion, crime, trade imbalances and deteriorating schools.

“If inspired by new leaders, we will develop innovative solutions to meet today’s challenges,” Korman’s letter said. “That is why I want to represent the 21st District in Congress.”

The letters, which cost $35,000, were accompanied by cards that carried a pitch for campaign contributions and urged voters to support his “campaign for Congress.”

Korman could not be reached for comment Friday. However, he recently told a Simi Valley newspaper that within a week of the mailing, he had gotten back about 100 cards and raised a “couple of hundred” dollars.

Gallegly said he doesn’t take his “job for granted,” and will treat seriously a challenge by any candidate “no matter what their record or lack thereof.”

“It’s been proven time and time and time again that candidates can’t buy elections,” he said, referring to Korman’s heavy spending in 1988. “But if somebody comes in and spends a million dollars, that can have an effect on an election.”

He said heavy spending by one GOP candidate against another in a race where there are no major philosophical differences is counterproductive and tends to help Democrats by burning up Republican Party resources.