Former state lawmaker Tony Strickland, R-Ventura County, filed candidacy papers Friday to run for Congress in the 25th District.
The seat has been held since 1992 by Santa Clarita’s first mayor, Howard “Buck” McKeon, who is widely expected to retire when his current term expires at the end of 2014, although his office staff has thus far refused to confirm it.
McKeon is in his third 2-year term as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Under House rules, there’s a three-term limit on committee chairmanships.
Strickland doesn’t live in the 25th District, but under federal law, members of Congress don’t have to live in their district – only their state.
Strickland is attempting to grow his already sizable campaign war chest through his website, “Tony Strickland for Congress” (TonyStrickland.com), which was actually set up when he was considering a run in the 26th District, south and west of the 25th. But Strickland scrapped that idea and recently endorsed Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, R-Ventura County, in the 26th.
Strickland and McKeon have recently been seen together at local events. In 2012, Strickland endorsed McKeon’s wife, Patricia, in her failed bid for state Assembly, rather than give the nod to his longtime friend, Scott Wilk, who ultimately won the seat.
Strickland Officially Running for McKeon's House Seat
