KEITH GANN: RUNNING AS A THIRD OPTION

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.

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.