How to find a citizen candidate? That’s classified.

CALLING JAMES STEWART: Next year’s 36th Congressional District primary looks to be a race of well-financed Republicans, either by their own wealth or that of powerful interest groups.

But in the tradition of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” an El Segundo organization is searching for a citizen candidate who will pledge to return to his or her humble origins after one or two terms in the Venice-to-San Pedro seat.

Voters in Action recently placed an ad in the Daily Breeze asking for applicants: “No political exp. necessary, strong desire to represent the people--not special interests; knows right from wrong and acts accordingly.”

Although the group includes members from both parties, its chosen candidate will run in the Republican primary because it would be much tougher to beat the incumbent, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Rolling Hills), within her own party. A Democrat or Independent would have to change registration, the group said.

“Since the parties have not been able to present an acceptable candidate, we have decided to find one on our own,” said Barbara Johnson, who helped form the group.

Johnson and other members got the idea after watching the PBS documentary “The New Militant Center,” in which a woman talks of soliciting candidates in the classifieds.

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KING FOR A DAY: You can complain all you want about government inaction, but don’t blame Hermosa Beach Mayor Robert (Burgie) Benz.

Why? Three words: Bivin Sadler Day.

Benz called for Tuesday to be proclaimed Bivin Sadler Day in Hermosa after a conversation with a Texas man. Benz said that the man told him that Bivin Sadler was a mentally handicapped child who was near death but who loved the Southern California lifestyle and would love a memento from Hermosa Beach.

Wanting to brighten the boy’s day, the council agreed with Benz and voted unanimously to make the proclamation.

As it turns out, Bivin Sadler is a perfectly healthy 20-year-old with a slight learning disability, said Bob Pullen, the man who spoke to Benz about Sadler last month. Although Pullen appreciated the kind gesture, he said Benz had misunderstood his request.

In fact, Pullen said, all he wanted was a quick letter to Sadler.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Pullen said. “I was just looking for something to be typed up on a city letterhead, something a secretary could do in five minutes. The next thing I know, Burgie’s wanting to fly him out there. Everyone in Hermosa is just so damned nice.”

Sadler never made the trip and was unaware of the city’s largess until his birthday Tuesday.

Benz, meanwhile, finds the mix-up amusing.

“I really didn’t know much about the kid,” Benz said. “I think it’s sort of hilarious.”

--Compiled by DAVE GRIMM