Dante Acosta

Santa Clarita City Councilman Dante Acosta, a Republican, and Newhall School Board member Christy Smith, a Democrat, are competing to fill the seat vacated by Republican Assemblyman Scott Wilk, who will attempt to move up to the state Senate.

“I certainly didn’t intend on leaving City Hall early,” Acosta said Wednesday, when the extended filing period closed. “I love this place, I love these people, I love serving this community.”

“I really know this district,” he said. “I think I’m the right candidate for this district not only for Granada Hills, where I’m from, but Simi Valley where close friends and family live. I’ve been going there my whole life. I know the valley will plus I’ve lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for 30 years.”

Said Smith: “I’ve always been dedicated to a career in public service. For some people it’s a calling; I’m one of those people.”

“Even when Wilk was in office,” she said, “I saw potential to have a platform to advocate for things that are really important in our community including education.”

Christy Smith

Also in the race are Republican Chris Garcia of Santa Clarita; Republican Tyler E. Izen of Granada Hills; and Jarrod DeGonia, the San Fernando Valley field deputy for Supervisor Michael Antonovich.

The 38th Assembly District includes Simi Valley, the northwestern section of the San Fernando Valley and most of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Wilk filed Tuesday for the 21st Senate District seat being vacated by Sen. Sharon Runner, who is retiring for health reasons.

The 21st Senate District, which includes communities in the Santa Clarita, Antelope and Victor Valleys, “is a district I was born and raised in,” Wilk said. “It’s been a great honor (to serve) four years in the Legislature. I’ll be able to hit the ground running. No on-the-job training.”

Four others will vie for the seat. They are Democrat Johnathon Ervin, an aerospace engineer; Star Moffatt, a Democratic activist who filed as a Republican; Democrat Steve Hill, a Palmdale businessman; and Robert A. Parris of Lancaster, a partner in R. Rex Parris Law Firm with no political party affiliation.

On the county Board of Supervisors for the 5th District, where Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is termed out of office after 36 years, seven people have filed to succeed him including his Chief Deputy Kathryn Barger of Los Angeles, a Republican; Mitchell Englander, a police officer and Republican L.A. councilman; Republican Bob Huff, a business owner and state Senator; Rajpal Kahlon, a real estate investor from Palmdale; Billy Malone, a town council member from Altadena; Glendale Mayor Ara James Najarian, a Republican; and Democrat Darrell Park, a teacher and budget specialist from Pasadena; and Criminal Gang Prosecutor and Republican Elan Carr.

Republican Steve Knight of Palmdale is seeking a second term in Congress. Challenging him in the 25th District are Democrat Lou Vince, an LAPD lieutenant and Agua Dulce Town Councilman; Republican Jeffrey Moffat, an attorney in Lancaster; and Democrat Bryan Caforio, an attorney who only recently moved into the district.