Hostility Evident in Third Sherman-Hoffman Debate

The potency of the political attacks increased but the punches rarely connected in the third congressional debate Monday night between Republican businessman Randy Hoffman and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks).

Both men appeared well-prepared, spending most of the time playing defense and detailing their positions on the issues, but the hostility between the two candidates appeared to grow.

The pair are battling to represent the 24th Congressional District, which includes Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Malibu, Calabasas and Thousand Oaks.

Hoffman, former president of a high-tech company in San Dimas, accused Sherman of “fear-mongering” in comments Sherman made about Hoffman’s company selling products to Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally in the Middle East. Hoffman called the freshman Democrat a powerless and ineffective representative in Washington, and criticized him for not delivering more federal funding for local highway projects.

Sherman repeated earlier attacks on Hoffman’s support for privatizing a portion of Social Security funds and Hoffman’s stand on environmental issues, accusing Hoffman of being “in the pocket” of local developers.

The 90-minute debate, their third in 30 days, was held at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, hosted by the university and the Ventura Star newspaper, attracted an audience of about 50.

Stung by criticism on his environmental record in the last debate, Hoffman on Monday announced he plans to vote for a popular Ventura County growth-limiting initiative on the November ballot--Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR). But Hoffman also accused Sherman of grandstanding on the initiative, pointing out it is a local matter that has nothing to do with Congress.

Hoffman also attacked Sherman for failing to deliver more federal money for transportation projects, saying other legislators from the region delivered up to four times as much in local funding.

“What we have here is a lack of clout in Washington,” Hoffman told the crowd.

Sherman said he helped bring more than $15 million in federal highway dollars to the district. He did not deliver more because he voted in favor of keeping the balanced budget agreement, and against a mammoth highway construction bill that would have broken the deal, he said.

Sherman, a tax attorney and former member of the State Board of Equalization, emphasized his votes in favor of the balanced budget and shoring up Social Security. Sherman also played up his environmental record, including his success in landing federal money for more parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Hoffman, who left his job as president of Magellan Systems Inc. in San Dimas to run for Congress, stressed his success in the competitive high-tech industry. Building a million-dollar enterprise from almost scratch proves he has the smart business sense and accountability sorely needed on Capitol Hill, he argued.

Both the Democrats and Republicans believe victory in the 24th District is within reach, because its voters tend to go for moderate candidates in both parties. According to the latest figures from state elections officials, 49% of the district’s registered voters are Democrats and 35% are Republicans.

As of Sept. 30, Sherman had raised $846,000, with close to $170,000 coming from labor interests. Sherman reported having $470,000 cash on hand, Federal Election Commission records show.

Hoffman had collected $979,274 for his campaign, with $577,000 coming from his own bank account. The Republican reported $180,000 in his campaign account, election records show.