Former State Sen. Cathie Wright has died. She was 82.
Wright, who represented the Santa Clarita Valley in the California Legislature for 20 years, died Saturday at about 9 a.m. from complications related to dementia.
The conservative Republican lawmaker lived in Simi Valley, where she launched her political career in the 1970s as a member of the City Council.
In her later years, Wright was cared for by her daughter Victoria, who is running for Congress locally under her middle name of Cathie.
“I was at her side,” Wright’s daughter said in a statement, “and it will surprise no one who knew her that, despite her illness, she was lucid at the time and remained fierce and resilient until the end. Her granddaughter – my daughter Marissa – and I will miss her laughter, her wisdom and her strength and spirit.”
“She was an outstanding legislator and tireless crusader for justice, and she was foremost my beloved mother, so I am taking a break from my congressional campaign,” her daughter said.
Wright, born May 18, 1929, in Forge, Penn., was in hospice care for the past couple of weeks, her former district director Michael P. Murphy said Saturday.
Wright was Simi Valley’s mayor when she ran for and won an Assembly seat that was vacated in 1980 when its previous occupant, Bob Cline, mounted an unsuccessful bid for state Senate.
During her time in the Assembly, Wright carried several pieces of legislation that impacted the Santa Clarita Valley, including a bill that added the valley’s four water purveyors to the board of the Castaic Lake Water Agency. The intent was that by bringing the purveyors to the table, they would work together to craft a valley-wide water management plan – something the local water community now does every five years.
Murphy – now the city of Santa Clarita’s intergovernmental relations officer – noted that Wright was an early and ardent supporter of the creation of the city of Santa Clarita, which incorporated in 1987.
“She was one of the first elected officials to really get on board with cityhood,” Murphy said.
In 1992 Wright ascended to the state Senate when former LAPD Chief Ed Davis retired after 12 years in that post. She was reelected in 1996 and term-limited out of office in 2000.
As a senator she was instrumental in bringing funding to College of the Canyons, particularly for a new library and Media & Fine Arts building, which were constructed in the mid-1990s.
In 1994, Wright won the Republican primary race for lieutenant governor but was defeated in the general election by then-Controller Gray Davis, a Democrat who would go on to become governor.
Wright is survived by her daughter Victoria and granddaughter Marissa of Simi Valley.
A public memorial will be held Friday, April 20, at Reardon’s Funeral Home, 2636 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley, followed by Catholic services at St. Peter of Claver Parish, 5650 Cochran St., Simi Valley. Times have not yet been determined.
Victoria Catherine Wright of Simi Valley, daughter of onetime state Sen. Cathie Wright, who represented the Santa Clarita Valley in Sacramento in the 1980s and '90s, issued the following statement Sunday announcing her bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, in this year's congressional election. The candidate…
If the congressional race worked the same way as the supervisorial race, Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon would be all done campaigning in 2012 because he captured just over 50 percent of the vote Tuesday night: 50.2 percent, to be precise. But it doesn't work that way. Under California's new "top…
In this episode: Disney fans and their childhood characters celebrate the opening of a new store. Also: An elderly man found dead in Escondido Canyon; Local weather outlook. Former State Sen. Cathie Wright dies at 82; Sheriff's volunteers honored. Finally: Schools to adopt Transitional Kindergarten; Santa Clarita Athletic Club hosts Business/Fitness…
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Cathy was a wonderful legislator and I was privileged to know the Senator. And as a neighbor, I know how she was a caring and loving person. She will be greatly missed. David LaTourette
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
The unmistakable sights, sounds and flavors of the Old West are making their way back to William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321 and you do not have to wait long.
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 14 for a paws-itively delightful new program, "Paws to Connect: Adults and Animals."
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
The College of the Canyons women's volleyball program invites girls and boys ages 8-14 to participate in the 2025 COC Summer Volleyball Camp, with two sessions beginning in July.
In its efforts to prevent distracted driving and save lives on our roads, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reminding all drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and keep their hands on the wheel.
Connect with other businesses and attend the Valley Industry Association After Five networking mixer on Thursday, April 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at J Blair Group
At the direction of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, KH Consulting Group is conducting an independent study to identify strengths and challenges of L.A. County’s current governance model and make recommendations for actionable change.
Effective April 2, 2025, The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is proud to announce that Bob Hope Patriotic Hall has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
California State University, Northridge’s top student choreographers and dancers will demonstrate diverse choreographic vision, passionate dancing and powerful performances in “Kinesis: Emerging Choreography,” which will premiere on April 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 24, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
WiSH Education Foundation's Over the Edge, the first annual rappelling event to hit the SCV, is waiting for all our adventurous friends to join us by raising funds for our local students through a brand new and exciting opportunity.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is lifting the Ocean Water Advisory due to Fire Impacts from Las Flores State Beach (SMB 1-14) to Santa Monica State Beach (DPH 104 A&B).
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Saddle Up Santa Clarita,” on view in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall now through May 14.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley is calling on community members to rally together for the 27th annual Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley, on Saturday, May 3, at Central Park.
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library will welcome back Western author J.R. Sanders for a free special event 6 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at the Old Town Newhall Library.
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1 Comment
Cathy was a wonderful legislator and I was privileged to know the Senator. And as a neighbor, I know how she was a caring and loving person. She will be greatly missed. David LaTourette