Sherman and Schiff Stand on Sound Track Records

The Times does not endorse in every race, but instead chooses to support candidates selectively on a case-by-case basis. Here are our recommendations for local races on the Nov. 5 ballot.

24th Congressional District: Both candidates in this race to succeed retiring Democrat Anthony C. Beilenson have spent the campaign racing each other to the middle. In a moderate district that stretches from Thousand Oaks to Van Nuys, extreme views don’t play very well. Brad Sherman and Richard Sybert both have impeccable credentials: Harvard Law School, long records of public service and keen intellects. However, Sherman is the better choice.

Sybert, a former top official in Gov. Pete Wilson’s administration, now runs a toy company and serves on the governing board of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. In 1994, Sybert came close to unseating Beilenson in a bitter race. His public views have considerable popular appeal, especially when combined with his charismatic personality. Yet we question some of them as mean-spirited and poorly reasoned. For instance, he supports repealing the portion of the 14th Amendment that grants automatic citizenship to children born on American soil to illegal residents. He opposes all forms of bilingual education. We agree on the need to reform both education and immigration policy, but proposals like Sybert’s would do more harm than good. Admittedly thin-skinned, Sybert has a history of turning to the courts to settle disputes--even though he supports reforms to reduce frivolous litigation.

Sherman calls himself a “recovering nerd,” and the description fits. After two terms on the State Board of Equalization, Sherman’s command of details and policy issues is notorious--and often frustrating to staffers and colleagues. Sherman enjoys working behind the scenes and finalizing the details that can net big results. Some of his proposals are unpopular, but sound. He opposes cutting taxes until the federal budget deficit and attendant debt are brought under control. His mastery of tax and fiscal policies give him a unique perspective essential to guaranteeing the solvency of Medicare and Social Security. It may be dull, but Sherman relishes the details--and that’s where answers to the nation’s problems lie. The Times endorses Sherman.

21st Senate District: The fight for this seat is among the most expensive this year as both parties spend madly to win a district that includes Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena. Democrats and Republicans view the seat of retiring Republican Newton Russell as critical to the balance of power in the Legislature. Republican Assemblywoman Paula Boland, who has represented the northwest San Fernando Valley for the past six years, faces Democrat Adam Schiff, a federal prosecutor whose moderate message appears to be attracting voters.

Perhaps the most recognizable local politician of late, Boland earned attention with legislation to make it easier to break up both the Los Angeles Unified School District and the city itself. We criticized her unsuccessful bid to remove barriers to a Valley secession as divisive and counterproductive. She has opposed a woman’s access to abortions in all cases except incest. Her refusal to appear at most debates against Schiff has made her a virtual ghost in a district she moved to only after term limits forced her out of the Assembly.

Schiff’s record as a federal prosecutor backs up his claims of being a Democrat who’s tough on crime. Although financed heavily by the Democratic Party, Schiff claims that stubbornness and independence run in his family. He supports the death penalty, term limits and tough criminal sentencing laws like “three strikes.” Schiff emphasizes the connection between public safety and public education. His proposal to invest in children now to keep them out of trouble later makes sense. He believes the lack of investment in public education ends up costing more in the long run as students drop out and turn to crime or welfare. The Times endorses Schiff.

43rd Assembly District: Republican John Geranios is the better candidate in the race to fill the seat vacated by Republican James Rogan. In a diverse district that includes Burbank, Glendale and Los Feliz, Geranios is a near-perfect fit. He is pro-choice and said current welfare reform efforts went too far in cutting off aid to legal residents. He opposes benefits to illegal residents. Geranios supports putting welfare recipients back to work, but with a safety net that allows them to hold on to some benefits such as child care until they are able to earn higher wages. Among his priorities: streamlining state and local permit processes to keep California competitive. He points to Glendale and Burbank as cities that have been enormously successful in attracting business by consolidating permit applications. Democrat Scott Wildman does not appear prepared for the rigors of state government. The Times endorses Geranios.