Republican Salomon to Again Challenge Beilenson

A Beverly Hills trade consultant who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) in 1988 formally announced Tuesday that he will make a second bid to unseat the congressman.

The announcement by Republican Jim Salomon came as no surprise, as Salomon has been campaigning full time since last June.

Salomon and Beilenson are running unopposed in the June 5 party primaries and will face off in the Nov. 6 general election.

Salomon said he raised $111,724 in 1989, and has several months to raise even more before the election. In the last race, he spent $98,008.

In his announcement, Salomon raised several issues that had been part of his 1988 campaign. He said Beilenson, who has been in office for 13 years, has lost touch with the voters of the 23rd District.

“When you have a congressman who only thinks about national problems, the district suffers,” Salomon said.

He said Beilenson has opposed stiffer penalties for drug-related crimes and supported additional taxes, such as a gasoline tax.

Beilenson responded in an interview, saying Salomon’s announcement was “a rehash of all the issues which Republican opponents have used every two years in running against me.”

Beilenson said he favored a gas tax to reduce the federal deficit. He also said the suggestion he is soft on crime is “absolutely untrue.”

He said Salomon’s charge that he has lost touch with the district was “the most unfair and untruthful of all.” He said he visits the district every month, meets with constituents and speaks to them at public events.

Beilenson, who raised $94,929 in 1989, said he is taking Salomon seriously because of the size of the campaign funds the challenger is amassing.