DEMOCRAT SETS SIGHTS ON GALLEGLY; VENTURA LAWYER SEEKS HOUSE SEAT.

Byline: David Greenberg Staff Writer

Comparing himself to Thomas Jefferson, Ventura Democrat Michael Case on Tuesday formally announced his intention to unseat six-term incumbent Rep. Elton Gallegly.

Facing about 40 supporters at the Heritage Square kiosk, Case also compared the Oxnard Republican to Madonna, calling him a political chameleon who changes his views on issues such as abortion rights to please voters.

``I run because I do not believe that our incumbent congressman truly represents the views of either our district or our nation,'' said Case. ``He does not understand and give proper deference to the balance that has to exist between these different participants in the American Dream. Like Madonna, Mr. Gallegly is seeking to reinvent himself and his identity with his constituents. He knows that the voter would not return the Elton Gallegly his record supports. He needs to build a new one.''

Gallegly, speaking by phone from his Washington, D.C., office, stood behind his beliefs on a range of issues, from his tough stance on illegal immigration to his views on abortion.

Case, 52, an attorney and president-elect of the Ventura County Bar Association who will take over the position in January, was on the board of governors of the State Bar from 1993 to 1996, and is currently a member of the Judicial Council of California.

This is his first attempt at the 23rd Congressional District, which covers most of Ventura County except for portions of Thousand Oaks.

Case said his lack of political experience is a positive sign - he is not a ``professional politician'' looking for a job.

``I am what Thomas Jefferson talked about, a citizen stepping forward, with the knowledge of what the world is like outside of Washington, to put his back to the labors of running our government,'' Case said. ``Someone with fresh eyes. Someone who knows the importance of bringing the parts together, rather than pushing them further apart.''

Although he said immigration laws should be fairly enforced, he accused Gallegly, a 55-year-old Simi Valley resident, of alienating Latinos with his draconian approach.

``Latinos should not be treated as anything other than first-class citizens,'' Case said.

He also lambasted Gallegly for not strongly supporting abortion rights.

``It's important to know where a legislator stands on it,'' Case said. ``I think it's important for women to be able to make that choice.''

Gallegly, however, countered that legislators should be tough on illegal immigrants, particularly when they comprise 20 percent of all federal prisoners.

``As a lawyer, (Case) is an officer of the court,'' he said. ``The word `illegal' should in and of itself be a clue. We have enough crime problems in our country today without importing them. I will continue to oppose illegal immigration. But I am a strong supporter of legal immigration and diversity in this country. In fact, I strongly feel the greatest threat to legal immigration - and we are a country of immigrants - is the proliferation of illegal immigration.''

Gallegly said he respects the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortions, as long as they are not federally funded in the third trimester.

``I may not always like a law, but I respect the law,'' he said. ``But the Supreme Court has upheld that law. Maybe (Case) feels the taxpayers should pay for abortions. We disagree on that.''

Case also vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare for future generations and to help remove assault weapons from society.

Case's announcement comes on the heels of a decision by Democratic Simi Valley lawyer Daniel Gonzalez not to run for the seat as he did during the 1998 campaign.

Gonzalez, who was handily defeated by Gallegly last year, is among those endorsing Case's candidacy.

Case said he will need to raise $700,000 in addition to $50,000 already secured in order to defeat Gallegly.

Gallegly said he currently has approximately $750,000 in his campaign war chest and will raise whatever it takes to win.