Freiman Likely to Run for Congress

Richard Freiman, an unsuccessful Democratic congressional candidate in 1990, said Friday that he may mount another campaign aimed at ousting Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) during next year’s election.

Freiman, an attorney and screenwriter, is a longtime resident of Oak Park, a community near Thousand Oaks that is no longer located in the congressional district represented by Gallegly.

Freiman points out that as a candidate he is not legally required to live in the 23rd Congressional District, which includes all of Ventura County except most of the Conejo Valley.

Non-residency, however, is often raised as a political issue during hotly contested campaigns.

“I have lived in Ventura County for 16 years,” said the 47-year-old Freiman. He added that he feels as connected to the Ventura County district as to the 24th District, which includes the Conejo Valley, Malibu and portions of the San Fernando Valley.

Moreover, he wants to target Gallegly because of the congressman’s opposition to abortion rights.

“I’m very strongly pro-choice,” Freiman said. “Abortion rights are in danger and I think we should have another pro-choice vote in Congress.”

He noted that Richard Sybert, a Republican candidate in the 24th District race, favors abortion rights, as does Sybert’s probable Democratic opponent, Brad Sherman.

Freiman said he is 95% certain that he will enter the 23rd District race but first wants to check with supporters.

If he does run, he will face an opponent in the Democratic primary. Retired teacher Bob Unruhe of Ojai earlier announced his candidacy.

“The primary is open to any registered Democrat,” Unruhe said. “I welcome anybody who wants to enter the field.”