ELECTIONS : Republican Fahey to Run for Congress in 36th District

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney William Fahey announced Thursday that he will run for Congress this year in a Republican-leaning district that includes Torrance, Lawndale, the beach cities, the Palos Verdes Peninsula and most of San Pedro.

Fahey, a 40-year-old Republican who lives in Manhattan Beach, acknowledged that his name may not be as well known in the new 36th Congressional District as those of other candidates expected to run in the GOP primary June 2.

Among them are Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, William Beverly--the son of state Sen. Robert Beverly (R-Manhattan Beach)--and Maureen Reagan, daughter of former President Ronald Reagan.

But Fahey said he will bridge the gap with well-organized campaigning, and he called for a series of candidates’ forums and debates.

“In order to make an informed decision, the voters must see the candidates together on one platform,” he said. “A slick piece of mail or a 30-second television commercial should not be the voters’ only criteria.”

Fahey joined the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles in 1980. He headed its public corruption section from 1986 to 1990 and its narcotics section from 1990 until Jan. 3, when he resigned to run for Congress.

He is married to Superior Court Judge Joyce A. Karlin, who drew controversy when she sentenced a Korean grocer to probation in November. The grocer, Soon Ja Du, had been convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing a 15-year-old girl.