SHERMAN LOOKS TO SET UP HOUSE NEWCOMER LEVY FAVORS SECESSION IN BID FOR 27TH.

Byline: Bill Hillburg Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, is a newcomer to most of the voters in the reapportioned 27th Congressional District, where he faces a Nov. 5 challenge from Republican Robert M. Levy.

Sherman, 49, was pushed out of Ventura County and Malibu in the 2001 remap, and now represents a horseshoe-shape district that sprawls from Tarzana, Northridge and Granada Hills to Sylmar and then loops above San Fernando and into Sunland and a portion of Burbank.

Democrats make up 49 percent of the district's registered voters, Republicans 31 percent.

``I see this new district as an opportunity to get my message out to more than 400,000 new constituents,'' said Sherman, who is seeking his fourth term. ``I have a six-year record as an effective member of Congress, working for the interests of working families.''

He pointed to a number of achievements, including measures to finance expansion of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Sherman was also an early and vocal critic of lax efforts by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to stem the impact of California's 2001 power crisis.

Levy, 49, a Woodland Hills attorney making his first run for elective office, accuses Sherman of wavering in his support for President George W. Bush's war on terrorism, including military action against Iraq.

``The ideas of the 1960s are represented by Brad Sherman and the ideas of the 21st century are represented by me,'' Levy said.

Sherman has taken no position on the San Fernando Valley's proposed secession from Los Angeles, saying it is purely a local issue. Levy endorses an independent Valley city.

``I'm very pro-secession,'' Levy said. ``We need our own city and people in Congress who can bring home what that new city needs.''

Levy sought to short-circuit criticism of the fact that he does not live in the 27th District. His Woodland Hills home is a mile west of the new boundary.

He noted that the law makes no district residency requirements for congressional candidates, who must merely be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years and a California resident and registered member of their party at the time they file for candidacy.

``I'm a Valley resident and that's what will count in a new Valley city,'' said Levy. ``Brad Sherman lives in the 27th District only because his Democratic friends drew his Sherman Oaks home into the district.''

He also noted that Sherman moved his district office from Woodland Hills to Sherman Oaks in June.

Sherman said he hopes to move up in seniority and clout on the Committee of Financial Services, where he serves on three subcommittees. As one of only three certified public accountants in the House, Sherman, who is also an attorney, has been a leading advocate of accounting reforms in the wake of the Enron and WorldCom scandals.

Sherman, who also serves on the Committee on International Relations and its subcommittees on Europe and the Middle East and South Asia, was first elected to Congress in 1996. Prior to that he served on the state Board of Equalization and chaired the key tax panel from 1991-95.

According to the Federal Election Commission, Sherman has raised $741,648 and has $525,142 remaining in his campaign fund. Levy, who has raised $14,656 despite little or no party support, has $228 in his account. He has invested $4,280 of his own money in his campaign.

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(1) LEVY

(2) SHERMAN