GOP Stars Give Boost to Sybert’s Campaign : Politics: Jack Kemp and William Bennett speak at fund-raiser for challenger facing Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson.

Republican congressional challenger Richard Sybert got a helping hand from GOP heavyweights Jack Kemp and William Bennett on Wednesday at a fund-raiser that grossed $75,000 for Sybert’s campaign against Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills).

Kemp and Bennett, both leading lights of the GOP’s right wing and possible 1996 presidential candidates, praised Sybert and attacked Beilenson, President Clinton and the Democrat-controlled Congress before about 300 Sybert boosters at the Warner Center Hilton Hotel.

Sybert, a Woodland Hills attorney and former state planning chief under Gov. Pete Wilson, is running hard against Beilenson, who is seeking to hold onto his seat representing the 24th Congressional District, which stretches from Sherman Oaks to Newbury Park in Ventura County.

“I have nothing against Beilenson,” Kemp said. “My wife and I know him and his wife. We have nothing against Democrats. They’re needed on this Earth. They’re here to redistribute wealth. That’s OK, as long there’s someone who understands how to create it. And Rich does.”

The $150-a-head fund-raiser helped Sybert, 42, top up his campaign war chest as his race against Beilenson enters the final seven weeks. According to the most recent campaign reports, released in late July, the two men had roughly the same amount of cash on hand, with Beilenson reporting $135,852 and Sybert $122,759.

During the first six months of this year, Sybert relied heavily on his own wealth to finance his campaign. Reports show he raised $90,871 from outside sources but lent his campaign committee $421,685. In addition to Wednesday’s fund-raiser, Sybert has scheduled an Oct. 1 event featuring House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich, another conservative favorite.

Kemp, former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and pro football quarterback, praised Sybert as a candidate who “understands private property (and) limited government.” Kemp also predicted that if elected, Sybert would not fall into the trap of excessive partisanship that some observers claim has paralyzed the current Congress.

“He’s going to represent this district and Buffalo, N. Y., and Motown and Chi-town and East Harlem because he understands that this is a country that cries out for equal opportunity,” Kemp said.

By contrast, Bennett barely mentioned Sybert in his speech. The former federal drug czar and secretary of the Department of Education instead attacked the “religion of governmentalism,” which he said is contributing to the decline of morality and family values.

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Asked after their speeches if they had met Sybert before Wednesday, both Bennett and Kemp said no. But it is common for politicians seeking national office to endorse local candidates with similar values in hopes of tapping into greater grass-roots support.

“He’s a progressive, conservative, bleeding-heart, Abraham Lincoln Republican who understands what it’s going to take to get California back on the growth path,” Kemp said of Sybert. Kemp added that he and Bennett plan to make appearances on behalf of two other GOP congressional candidates in California.

Also this week, a spokesman for the Republican National Congressional Committee, which aids GOP congressional candidates, said the committee won’t decide until late this month or early October whether to commit money or other resources to Sybert’s campaign.

Dan Leonard said the 24th District is one of five to seven congressional seats in California where national GOP strategists feel Democratic incumbents are vulnerable. The RNCC is “very optimistic” that Sybert can topple Beilenson, Leonard said.

If it decides to back Sybert, the RNCC can contribute up to $5,000 in cash and $58,600 in non-monetary help, such as TV ads and postage, to his campaign. Leonard said Sybert already has met with the committee’s chairman, Rep. Bill Paxon of New York.