Scott Wilk

When Sharon Runner announced her impending retirement from the state Senate Thursday and Assemblyman Scott Wilk hadn’t filed for reelection as Friday’s filing deadline loomed, it fueled the obvious speculation.

Wilk confirmed Friday he’ll file for Runner’s 21st Senate District seat next week. (The filing period is extended when an eligible incumbent doesn’t run.)

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.”

Three other challengers are in the race so far, and more could file by the deadline Wednesday at 5 p.m. They are Democrat Johnathon Ervin, an aerospace engineer; Star Moffatt, a Democratic activist who filed as a Republican; and Democrat Steve Hill, a Palmdale businessman.

And because Wilk isn’t seeking re-election in the 38th Assembly District, the filing deadline for that seat is extended to Wednesday, as well.

The only person to file so far in the 38th Assembly District is Christy Smith, a member of the Newhall School Board.

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.

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.

Retiring from the 27th Senate District due to term limits is Sen. Fran Pavley, an Agoura Hills Democrat known for her legislative efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Six people are seeking her seat, which encompasses southwestern portions of the Santa Clarita Valley. They are: Democrat Shawn Bayliss, a legislative chief deputy; Republican Steve Fazio, a small business owner; Democrat Janice Kamenir-Reznik, attorney and co-founder of Jewish World Watch; Democrat Henry Stern, a teacher and environmental attorney; and Democrat George Thomas, a Van Nuys neighborhood council president and publisher.

Republican Tom Lackey is looking to hold onto his seat in the 36th Assembly District, which is based in the Antelope Valley but includes northeastern portions of the SCV. Democrat Steve Fox, who narrowly lost to Lackey, is giving it another try, as are Democrats Ollie McCaulley and Darren Parker.