header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
February 7
1919 - First publication of weekly Newhall Signal newspaper, $2 a year [story]
Signal Century


Political piece seeks to pressure congressman's next move
| Tuesday, Nov 5, 2013
Tony Strickland

Tony Strickland

[KHTS] – With speculation rampant about what might be taking place in the runup to next November’s election, there are already rumors and potential moves afoot.

Some of the discussion has been spurred by a recent editorial penned by Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, which was published on Flash Report, addressing what one representative referred to as the “ever-churning political rumor mill” among Washington and Sacramento insiders.

Wilk’s opinion piece addresses an oft-repeated rumor that Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, plans to step down at the end of this term.

While McKeon has said through his spokeswoman that he has no intention of stepping down at this time, local GOP officials praised the piece as something “that needed to be said.”

Wilk, who co-chairs elections for the Assembly GOP Caucus, said he has a vested interest in who runs for the 25th Congressional District seat next year, which was his motivation for the editorial.

Depending on who decides to run, openings could be created that make the GOP, which already faces a Democratic supermajority in the state Assembly, more vulnerable.

“I see a probable domino effect if McKeon steps down and (former state Sen. Tony) Strickland tries to step over,” Wilk said.

One of his duties as the co-chair of the caucus is to recruit candidates for office, Wilk said.

A statement from McKeon spokeswoman Alissa McCurley denied any truth to the rumor that McKeon will be stepping down.

“The congressman has no plans to retire,” she said, adding that the congressman wouldn’t discuss next year’s election politics.

“There are major issues here in Washington, and the congressman is focused on the tasks at hand, doing the job he was elected to do,” she said. “There will be plenty of time to talk election politics next year, but currently the congressman isn’t interested in commenting on the ever-churning political rumor mill.”

Wilk’s piece was essentially asking McKeon to address the rumors and declare his intention because the fundraising and rallying for next November have already begun.

In the event that McKeon decides to not run again, Strickland indicated that he’s made “no secret” that he would have to “seriously consider” a run in the 25th Congressional District, not the 26th, as he’s already expressed interest.

Rep. Buck McKeon

Rep. Buck McKeon

“I think a lot of people are getting ahead of themselves, and I don’t want to be disrespectful to (McKeon),” Strickland said, adding that he has roots in both districts, and he previously represented portions of Santa Clarita and Simi valleys as a member of the state Assembly’s 37th District from 1998 to 2004.

Strickland also served the state Senate’s 19th District from 2008-12.

“I just think Buck needs to decide what he’s going to do, and I don’t want to add to speculation,” he said.

“Obviously, I’m a fan of the chairman,” he added. “If he were to retire, I would take a look at the seat.”

Should that happen, Assemblyman Jeff Gorell would make a strong candidate to challenge for the 26th Congressional District seat held by Julia Brownley, Wilk said.

Brownley is a Democrat who beat Strickland by slightly more than 5 percent of the vote in the race for the seat previously held by Elton Gallegly, a Republican who held the recently redrawn  24th Congressional District seat.

A representative from Gorell’s office refused to comment on any potential moves for 2014 at this time, adding only that the assemblyman was aware of the rumors.

However, should the dominos fall that way and Gorell decided to run for the 26th, his seat in the 44th Assembly District would be up for grabs in what’s expected to be a “highly competitive” race, Wilk said.

Assemblyman Scott Wilk

Assemblyman Scott Wilk

One factor that could potentially make a run at the 26th appealing for Gorell, R-Camarillo, who served in Afghanistan and touts a score of 100 percent from the California Taxpayer’s Association, is that he faces a term limit in the Assembly.

Gorell has served since 2008, falling under previous Assembly rules that prompted Wilk’s predecessor, Cameron Smyth, to be termed out.

For his part, Smyth seemed to describe the piece as a sort of wake-up call to area Republicans.

“I think in a lot of ways, he said what needed to be said, particularly about the need for Republicans to not take this area for granted,” said Smyth, a Republican, citing mistakes the party made in Burbank and Glendale, which were once strong Republican areas.

“If we dont take these steps,” Smyth said, “these seats very much could be up for grabs sooner than later.”

Congress has no such limits, and McKeon would be running for his 12th term next November.

Three Democrats have already declared their intentions to seek McKeon’s seat: Jorge Ricardo Puentes, an Army veteran; Lee Rogers, a podiatrist; and Evan “Ivan” Thomas, a retired Air Force pilot.

Joe Messina, chairman of the local Republican assembly for the 38th District, said he encourages any effort to “take the veil off” how local politics work, supporting Wilk’s contention in the piece.

Messina mentioned concerns that have been expressed about McKeon’s fundraising activities, or an apparent lack thereof.

“When you look at what and how (McKeon) has raised money in the past,” Messina said, “we’re not there this time.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    SCV NewsBreak
    LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
    Thursday, Feb 6, 2025
    Feb. 10: Understanding Air Quality After the L.A. Fires
    Federal, state and local agencies will come together to host an informative webinar, "Understanding Air Quality After the L.A. Fires" on air quality impacts in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires.
    Thursday, Feb 6, 2025
    March 1: ACS Relay For Life Survivor Celebration Dinner
    The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley invites cancer survivors and caregivers to the 2025 Survivor and Caregiver Celebration Dinner, 5 p.m, Saturday, March 1 at at the Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA, 91351.
    Wednesday, Feb 5, 2025
    Feb. 9: The Cube Hosts 2025 West Coast Hockey Conference Playoffs
    Hockey fans, get ready! The Cube, Ice and Entertainment Center, Powered by FivePoint Valencia, is excited to welcome back the 2025 West Coast Hockey Conference Playoffs.
    Keep Up With Our Facebook

    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    1919 - First publication of weekly Newhall Signal newspaper, $2 a year [story]
    Signal Century
    Autonomous vehicles under testing permits have collectively covered over 4 million miles on California’s public roads from Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov. 30, 2024, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced.
    Over 4M Test Miles Logged in State by Autonomous Vehicles
    Federal, state and local agencies will come together to host an informative webinar, "Understanding Air Quality After the L.A. Fires" on air quality impacts in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires.
    Feb. 10: Understanding Air Quality After the L.A. Fires
    The Santa Clarita College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center will host singer and musician, John Waite, 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
    Feb. 21: Santa Clarita PAC Presents Singer John Waite
    Maginns Pub is hosting a Valentine's Day five-course farm-to-table Irish Pub style dinner Friday, Feb. 14, at 24480 Main St., #140, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
    Feb. 14: Maginns Pub Valentine’s Day Farm-to-Table Dinner
    The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Santa Clarita Valley invites cancer survivors and caregivers to the 2025 Survivor and Caregiver Celebration Dinner, 5 p.m, Saturday, March 1 at at the Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA, 91351.
    March 1: ACS Relay For Life Survivor Celebration Dinner
    Santa Clarita Public Libraries are looking for volunteers for its Tween Spring Clean-Up beginning 8:45 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at Valencia Library, with other volunteer opportunities Sundays, March 2 and 9.
    Feb. 16: Libraries Looking for Volunteers for Tween Spring Clean-Up
    The California Institute of the Arts Patty Disney Center for Life and Work will be hosting a Valentines pop-up market noon-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at CalArts, 24700 McBean Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
    Feb. 13: CalArts Valentines Artisan Market
    Join Los Angeles County parks as they celebrates Black History Month. From Feb. 13–28, the parks invite you to honor the achievements, contributions and resilience of black Americans through an exciting lineup of workshops, art exhibits, music, storytelling and community events.
    Feb. 13-28: Celebrate Black History Month at L.A. County Parks
    As a longtime Santa Clarita resident, I believe one of our community’s most important responsibilities is the preservation of our rich history and beautiful open spaces.
    Laurene Weste | Stepping Back into History at William S. Hart Park
    Quincy Phillips had a career-high 37 points to lead The Master's University men's basketball team to a 95-69 win over the Park-Gilbert Buccaneers Wednesday night, Feb. 5 in The MacArthur Center.
    Phillips Leads TMU over Buccaneers
    The Master's University baseball team continued its impressive start to the season with a 9-5 win over Cedarville University at Lou Herwaldt Stadium in Santa Clarita Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 5.
    Mustangs Keep Yellow Jackets at Bay
    Four players scored in double figures as The Master's University women's basketball team avenged an earlier conference loss to the Park-Gilbert Buccaneers with a 99-89 win Wednesday night, Feb. 5 in The MacArthur Center.
    TMU Comes from Behind for Conference Win
    1988 - Saugus Speedway owners demolish historic Bonelli Ranch House [story]
    Bonelli House
    Steven Leigh Morris, founding editor of "Stage Raw," curated his list of the 10 best Los Angeles theater productions of 2024. Among them were three shows that featured the creative talents of California Institue of the Arts alumni and faculty.
    CalArtians in ‘Stage Raw’s’ Top 10 L.A. Theater Productions of 2024
    Applications for the 2025 Virginia Wrage Memorial Scholarship are now available from the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley.
    Zonta of SCV Wrage Scholarship Applications Available
    Hockey fans, get ready! The Cube, Ice and Entertainment Center, Powered by FivePoint Valencia, is excited to welcome back the 2025 West Coast Hockey Conference Playoffs.
    Feb. 9: The Cube Hosts 2025 West Coast Hockey Conference Playoffs
    Interested members of the public are invited to the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency’s Water Resources and Watershed Committee meeting on Feb. 12, 2025.
    Feb. 12: SCV Water Agency Water Resources,Watershed Meeting
    The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business has granted California State University Northridge’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics supplementary accreditation for its accounting program.
    CSUN’s Nazarian College Receives Dual Accreditation
    The Department of Animal Care and Control has announced that the Castaic Animal Care Center has reopened its doors to the community after a temporary closure due to the recent Hughes Fire on Jan. 22.
    Castaic Animal Care Center Reopens Following Temporary Closure Due to the Hughes Fire
    California State University, Northridge is celebrating Black History Month with a variety of events that highlight Black achievements and provide advice on how to navigate the workforce. 
    CSUN Celebrates Black Success During Black History Month
    Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide investigators are responding to a death investigation.
    LASD Homicide Bureau Responding to a Death Investigation, 21000 Nandina Lane, Newhall
    Members of California State University Northridge’s Jazz “A” Band are getting a rare opportunity next month to perform alongside acclaimed artist and jazz pianist Jason Moran as they explore the music of jazz great Duke Ellington.
    Feb. 13: CSUN Jazz “A” Band to Perform with Jason Moran
    1921 - After leasing since 1918, William S. Hart purchases the Horseshoe Ranch in Newhall from Babcock Smith [story]
    Hart ranch
    SCVNews.com