Politicians Jockey for Position : Antelope Valley: The likely creation of a new congressional district has set off a chain reaction among GOP officeholders.

The likely creation of a new congressional district encompassing the Antelope Valley has touched off a scramble among high desert officeholders seeking to move higher on the political food chain.

The latest to indicate an interest in moving up is Palmdale Mayor William J. (Pete) Knight, who filed papers last month with the state Fair Political Practices Commission, saying he will raise money for a possible 1992 run for the seat held by Assemblyman Phil Wyman (R-Tehachapi). Wyman has said he is a likely candidate for the new congressional seat.

“I suspect I will not run for mayor” next year, Knight said Monday.

Many observers believe that a congressional district uniting the valley will emerge during this year’s redrawing of political districts, which must be overhauled every 10 years to reflect population changes.

On existing maps, the valley is split among no fewer than four congressmen--Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), William M. Thomas (R-Bakersfield), David Dreier (R-La Verne) and Carlos J. Moorhead (R-Glendale)--a situation that often leaves residents scratching their heads over who represents them.

Local business and political figures have urged that the valley be placed in a single district, arguing that the region needs a single strong voice in Washington.

Tentative maps drawn by state legislative committees are expected to be shown to lawmakers in Sacramento in the next few days. Gov. Pete Wilson is pushing the Legislature to have the final maps ready for his signature by Sept. 3.

In recent years, the Antelope Valley has undergone a population boom, as new residents poured in to take advantage of the area’s relatively inexpensive housing. The number of people in the Los Angeles County portion of the valley--where most of the residents live--jumped to 242,682 in 1990 from 107,079 in 1980, according to U. S. census data.

Palmdale, one of the region’s population centers, grew 432% during the decade.

Some observers speculate that rapid growth may prompt legislative map makers to build a new congressional district around the valley.

Such a district could be congenial to Wyman, a conservative Republican who has represented the valley for most of his 13 years in the Assembly. The region is dominated by Republicans, and no Democratic candidate appeared on the ballot against him in 1990.

Wyman repeated Monday that he intends to run for the new seat if no other Republican incumbent is redistricted into it. Many GOP officials in the Antelope Valley believe that he is unlikely to face serious opposition in a Republican primary and would trounce his Democratic opponent in a general election.

Several GOP activists interviewed Monday said that, so far, they were unaware of any likely candidate for the seat other than Wyman.

“He’s certainly got enough name recognition for this area,” said Bonnie Waugh, chairwoman of the Antelope Valley Republican Party. “I don’t know that there’d be too many people who could run a valid campaign against him on the Republican side.”

However, congressional districts based on the 1990 census must include about 572,000 residents, and any new Antelope Valley district would have to extend into other areas to reach that figure.

Frank Visco, a Lancaster insurance executive and former state GOP chairman, said the “most practical” district would include the valley and areas to the east, such as Victorville, and south, such as Valencia and Newhall.

But expanding the district east, Visco said, might bring Wyman into conflict with another potential congressional candidate, state Sen. Bill Leonard (R-Big Bear), who represents much of San Bernardino County.

Others speculated that the district may be stretched north into Kern County, where Wyman might clash with fellow Assemblyman Trice Harvey (R-Bakersfield).

Besides Knight, Republican activists mentioned three other possible GOP contenders for the Assembly district represented by Wyman, where Republicans outnumber Democrats 112,162 to 89,760.

They are Kern County Supervisor Roy Ashburn, Palmdale schools Supt. Forrest McElroy and George Runner, head of the Lancaster Christian School.

McElroy, who has headed the Palmdale schools since 1981, said he was considering a bid but would not make a decision for several weeks. He said he might run even if Wyman or Knight were in the race.

Runner and Ashburn could not be reached for comment.

The only Democrat mentioned, Lancaster City Councilman Arnie Rodio, said he too was considering an Assembly run but would not challenge Wyman should he decide to stay. Rodio has lost two previous Assembly bids.

Knight, a former Air Force test pilot who in 1988 became the first Palmdale mayor elected directly by voters, said he has not yet decided whether to run for the Assembly or a yet-to-be drawn congressional slot.

He added that he would not rule out a run against Wyman for Congress.

“Phil is very much aware of my position,” he said. “I’ve told him that as soon as I know what I’m going to do, I’ll let him know.”

A week ago, a $250-a-head fund-raiser was held for Knight at the home of Gregg Anderson, a prominent Antelope Valley developer. About 50 people attended, Knight said.

Knight’s plans for higher office would put the job of Palmdale mayor up for grabs in the April, 1992, election. No mayoral candidates have announced yet, but some of the city’s four other council members as well as other challengers would likely seek the two-year job.