Santa Clarita’s McKeon to Seek New Congressional Seat

Surrounded by about 50 family members and supporters, Santa Clarita Councilman Howard (Buck) McKeon announced Saturday that he will run for Congress in a new electoral district encompassing the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.

“When I saw that we would have our own congressional district, I decided to run,” said McKeon, a conservative Republican who served as the founding mayor of Santa Clarita when it incorporated in 1987.

McKeon becomes the first to formally announce his candidacy in the new 25th Congressional District, in which there is no incumbent. It was created in a redistricting plan drawn by a panel of retired judges chosen by the state Supreme Court to reflect changes in population documented by the 1990 census.

The plan is expected to be adopted by the Supreme Court in late January unless the state Legislature and Gov. Pete Wilson can agree on a redistricting plan of their own.

Currently, the area making up the proposed 25th District is represented by four congressmen, none of whom live in the Santa Clarita or Antelope valleys. The new district, which would be heavily Republican, also would skim the northern San Fernando Valley to include portions of Northridge, Chatsworth and Granada Hills.

“Those are Buck McKeon people,” said state Sen. Ed Davis (R-Santa Clarita), who appeared with McKeon to endorse his candidacy. “I know. I run there.”

Assemblyman Phil Wyman (R-Tehachapi), Palmdale Mayor William J. (Pete) Knight and former Rep. Bobbi Fiedler of Northridge also have expressed interest in the new district. Wyman would have to move into the district to run.

On Saturday, McKeon, 53, said his candidacy also has the backing of Rep. Carlos J. Moorhead (R-Glendale), who now represents a portion of the Santa Clarita Valley; state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), and Assemblyman Pat Nolan (R-Glendale).

But more important than endorsements, McKeon said, are his ideals. “I really think we have to get back to solid principles” such as the family, quality education and high morals, he said.

McKeon said he made his final decision to run for Congress just two days ago. “We were starting to run our campaign for City Council,” he said. His term will expire in April.

McKeon, who with his four brothers owns Howard & Phil’s, a chain of 43 Western clothing stores, said he believes his business background will help him as a congressman. “I think people are tired of professional politicians,” he said.

He said he is dissatisfied with the current emphasis on foreign trade, believes education should be funded locally and there should be less government intervention in people’s lives.

“I was always taught if I didn’t like something to do something about it,” McKeon said. “That’s why I’m running.”

Although he said he would cover specific issues later, McKeon did offer an opinion on one controversial issue--abortion. “Personally, I’m against abortion,” he said. “But it’s a moral not a government issue. People should be able to make up their own minds about it.”

In addition to Davis, McKeon was joined Saturday by his wife, Patricia, his six children, his brothers and several Santa Clarita Valley civic leaders.

McKeon, a graduate of Brigham Young University, also has served as chairman of the governing board of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, chairman of the board of Valencia National Bank and for eight years on the William S. Hart Union High School District board of trustees.