Posted on 03/11/2006 11:15:16 AM PST by iPod Shuffle
Article Launched: 03/11/2006 12:00 AM PST
Gallegly won't seek re-election
20-year congressman cites health as the reason
By Eric Leach, Staff Writer
SIMI VALLEY - Republican Congressman Elton Gallegly, who has represented the Ventura County area for the past 20 years, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election for health reasons.
"I have been dealing with a medical issue that is yet to be resolved," said a statement from Gallegly, who turned 62 on Tuesday. "Although I am hopeful it will be resolved positively, it would not be fair to my constituents and supporters should I be forced to withdraw from the race midyear.
"This has not been an easy decision but I believe it is the correct one."
The announcement came on the final day to file for the June primary election. Ventura County election officials said it was too late to remove Gallegly's name from the ballot or extend the filing deadline for his 24th Congressional District seat.
Gallegly said he had been working for the past two weeks with former Ventura County District Attorney Michael D. Bradbury, his campaign chairman and counsel, to remove his name from the ballot.
Bradbury said Gallegly still hopes something can be done to reopen the election to new candidates.
Gallegly has served in public office since 1979, when he was elected to the Simi Valley City Council. He served seven years as Simi Valley mayor before being elected to Congress in 1986.
He is a senior member of the House Judiciary, International Relations, and Resources committees and a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
A vocal opponent of illegal immigration, he also has fought hard for increased security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The announcement came as a shock to many in the heavily Republican district, which includes Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley.
"He's virtually become an institution," said Herbert Gooch, a political science professor at California Lutheran University.
Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller said Gallegly had done an outstanding job representing the area.
"This comes as a complete surprise," Miller said. "He will be sorely missed."
Mike Sedell, Simi Valley's city manager who served as Gallegly's chief of staff from 1986 to 1990, said Gallegly has fought hard for the best interests of his district.
"While in Congress, Elton never forgot his roots," Sedell said. "He always sought to bring a fair share of federal resources back home."
Gallegly, who fought to prevent the closure of the Navy's Point Mugu operations and to provide funds for widening the 101 and 23 freeways, said one of his fondest memories was flying to Ventura County aboard Air Force One with then-President Ronald Reagan and pointing out the Simi Valley hills where Reagan's presidential library would be built.
"I would like to thank the people of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties for all the support I have received over the years. I have been truly blessed," Gallegly said.
Staff Writer Angie Valencia-Martinez contributed to this report.
Eric Leach, (805) 583-7602
eric.leach@dailynews.com
Elton Gallegly Will Not Run For Re-election (Ventura County)
Posted by ArmstedFragg
On News/Activism 03/10/2006 5:35:09 PM PST · 70 replies · 616+ views
This story has the added tidbit that Gallegly had been contemplating this move for at least two weeks now...
I just cross-linked the thread for reference.
The added tidbit makes his last minute disclosure all the more curious.
You'd think that with (at least) two weeks advance notice, he would have been able to call an election law attorney about this issue, rather than just asssume the deadline would be extended by 5 days.
I suspect that if he is re-nominated, he'll run again, then retire midterm.. that would work out okay for McClintock/Strickland.
A story in today's Ventura Star adds the information that filing papers were requested by both Stricklands, but denied by the county elections office. The reason was the same reason they wouldn't take Elton's name off the ballot, both Stricklands have already qualified to run for other offices.
Gallegly is filing suit to get the rule changed, but it's a long shot.
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