Wright Endorsed 2 in Race for Congress

State Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), who is running for lieutenant governor, broke tradition and endorsed two rival candidates in the Republican primary for a congressional seat representing Thousand Oaks.

Last summer, Wright endorsed Richard Sybert, a Calabasas resident and former senior aide to Gov. Pete Wilson, in the 24th Congressional District contest to nominate an opponent to Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills).

“Rich came to me before he even formally announced,” Wright said this week. “I thought he was well qualified.” And, she said, it helped that he was willing to commit substantial personal funds to his campaign.

Then, two weeks before the June 7 primary, Wright received a call from Newbury Park businessman Sang Korman, who Wright had endorsed in the 1992 GOP contest in the same district. Korman, who filed to run months after Sybert, had done no active campaigning to that point.

“I really admire him for the reason that he came to this country without a dime in his pocket,” Wright said. “He feels he was successful because of this country and he wanted to give something back.”

So, even though she felt that Korman “didn’t have a chance,” Wright agreed to endorse him too.

Wright acknowledged that some voters might feel misled by her unconventional twin endorsements.

“They could,” Wright said. “But you have to understand you have some loyalty.”