Keith Gann: Running as a third option

Paul Clinton

Airing his Libertarian views can be, at least for Keith Gann, more

important than actually winning an election. As a result, Gann said

he won’t be surprised if he falls short of winning the congressional

seat representing the 46th District.

“Obviously, I’m not going to win,” Gann said. “But [running for

the seat] gives you a good chance to promote the ideas.”

Gann has been offering himself up as “a third choice,” an option

for voters disillusioned by the two major parties. Republican Dana

Rohrabacher has held the congressional seat since 1988. This year, Long Beach Democrat Gerrie Schipske is also in the race.

“There’s so little difference between the parties,” Gann said.

“But when they campaign, they appear different.”

Gann’s story is a familiar one, at least as far as Orange County

Libertarians go. He has run for elected office in a fairly

high-profile race and lost. In Gann’s case, he ran for Rep. Ed

Royce’s 39th Assembly District in 2000.

He also casts himself as an outsider who wants to shake up the

political system. Gann describes the incumbent Rohrabacher as a

“career politician” and says he would only serve a short term in

office, if elected, before returning to private life.

Gann endorses many of the Libertarian Party’s well-known stances:

legalizing all drugs, repealing gun-control laws and eliminating the

federal income tax.

He’s also in favor of decriminalizing drug-related crimes.

“We’ve got way too many people in jail because we’ve got way too

many laws,” Gann said. “The place to start is the war on drugs. Well

over 50% of the crimes that occur in this country are a result of the

fact that drugs are illegal.”

Less restrictions on gun ownership would deter criminals from

committing violent crimes with the weapons, Gann said.

“You ought to be able to carry a firearm to protect yourself,”

Gann said.

Gann said he supports the mission statement of the Pink Pistols, a

gay and lesbian group fighting for more gun rights to deter hate

crimes against homosexuals.

Gann, 45, lives and works in Costa Mesa. He manages projects at

Irvine Sensors Corp., a technology company with five Costa Mesa

offices. The company manufactures computer chips and other advanced

micro-electric products.

When he’s not on the political field of battle, Gann butts heads

with opponents as a “tight head prop” for a semi-professional rugby

team based in Huntington Beach.

Gann has played rugby for two decades. In 1998, he joined the

Unicorn Rugby Football Club; the team practices at Fulton Middle

School in Huntington Beach.

In college, Gann played center on the football team. He attended

Cal State Northridge.

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KEITH GANN

AGE: 45

FAMILY: Married with two sons, ages 20 and 22.

EDUCATION: Graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Cal State

Northridge in 1980.

OCCUPATION: Manager at a technology company

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Gann ran for the 39th Congressional District in

2000, losing to Rep. Ed Royce. He plays rugby on a semi-pro team in

Huntington Beach.