Brad Sherman has three challengers

Mark Reed, who ran against Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) in 2010 for a congressional seat, is going to challenge him again in an open primary in June. In doing so, he’ll also be facing incumbent Howard Berman (D-Valley Village) and Susan Shelley, who have announced plans to throw their hats in the ring in the newly drawn 30th District.

Sherman and Berman are both Democrats who have served in Congress for many years and are now pitted against each other because they live in the same district following a round of redistricting earlier this year.

Reed and Shelley are both Republicans. Reed is conservative on fiscal and social issues, while Shelley is fiscally conservative but socially liberal in supporting abortion and gay rights.

Candidates can begin taking out papers to formally enter the race on Feb. 13, according to the California Secretary of State’s Office.

Reed said he’s tired of the political stalemate that’s strangling Congress.

Democrats complain that Republicans will not waver from voting along party lines, but Democrats follow the same philosophy most of the time, Reed said.

“It’s like the pot calling the kettle black,” he said.

To help move things along, Reed said he would look at each piece of legislation on its own merit and how it would affect constituents in the 30th District, which includes a sliver of Burbank and a large portion of the west San Fernando Valley.

He does not support increasing revenues by raising taxes, particularly on the country’s most wealthy individuals and successful companies.

“It’s been a well-known fact that whenever you raise taxes on the upper percentage, you lose revenues,” he said, adding that they can always find loopholes.

Reed supports making changes to programs such as Medicare and Social Security, but only for future generations.

Reed, whose endorsements include L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich and state Sen. Sharon Runner, is also concerned about the turmoil in the Middle East.

Israel should be able to do more to protect itself, he said, with the United States playing a more supportive role, particularly by imposing stiff sanctions against Iran.

If Israel suffers a major attack, it would have a catastrophic impact to not only the U.S. economy, but around the world, he said.

Reed, who owns Ponderosa Pony Parties, lives in Shadow Hills.