BERMAN FOE IN UPHILL BATTLE UNDERFUNDED, UNKNOWN TEACHER CHALLENGING LONGTIME INCUMBENT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

It is the classic David vs. Goliath political matchup.

Charles R. Coleman Jr., a Juvenile Hall teacher from Pacoima, is waging an underfunded and long-shot campaign against Rep. Howard Berman, one of the area's most popular longtime incumbents, in the March 2 primary election.

Berman is so popular that he is rarely even challenged in a general election, let alone a primary contest, but it is something he prepares for by emphasizing his work on national and local issues.

``I have been working hard to get more money for Hansen Dam and I am looking hard at what we can do to make improvements on the 405 (Freeway). We have to get the northbound car-pool lane going to help commuters.''

Berman was first elected to the state Assembly in 1973 and moved on to Congress in 1982, representing the San Fernando Valley.

Over the years, he has emerged as a major political force in backing local candidates for office and in becoming a major player in national and international events.

Berman is a senior member on the International Relations and Judiciary committees and has exerted influence on issues as diverse as foreign aid, arms control, antiterrorism and human rights, along with trade, copyright and technology legislation.

And he has been adept at fund raising over the years - even as he has not needed much in his own campaigns. His most recent report on file with the Federal Election Commission shows him with more than $385,000 in cash on hand, and he held a fund-raiser last week to add to that.

Coleman, 45, a teacher at the Sylmar Juvenile Hall, said he is undeterred.

A graduate of USC, Coleman said he decided to run against Berman because of the war in Iraq and what he sees as the incumbent having lost touch with the district.

``I was upset with the way he voted to support the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act,'' Coleman said. ``I think a lot of us saw where (President) Bush was going, but they didn't have the courage in Congress to stand up to him. They were afraid of being called un-American or unpatriotic.''

Berman said he does not regret his vote on the war in Iraq but is looking to propose changes to the Patriot Act to eliminate some provisions he described as too intrusive.

Coleman, who has never run for public office before, said it wasn't a problem when he decided to run for Congress - bypassing such traditional steppingstones as local offices.

``The way I look at it, we have an actor who became a governor with no political experience,'' Coleman said. ``I figure a teacher is just as qualified.''

At the same time, he acknowledges that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had some advantages not available to ordinary candidates - such as high name recognition and millions of dollars.

``I know, and it's a problem,'' Coleman said. ``I've financed this myself with about $5,000. And the biggest donation I've made is time.''

Coleman said he took off three weeks in January to walk precincts and has taken off as much time as he could this month to campaign.

``I know it's going to be difficult, but I think people are upset with the way the country is going,'' Coleman said. ``I want to be a different voice.''

In keeping with the frugality of his campaign, Coleman said his daughter helped him put up a bare-bones Internet site at www.angelfire.com

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ccolemanjr.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) BERMAN

(2) COLEMAN