Elton Gallegly announces House retirement at the end of 13th Congressional term
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: January 11, 2012
Characterizing his move first in a private note to friends and supporters as “not the end but a new beginning,” Rep. Elton Gallegly announced Saturday he is retiring from the House of Representatives at the end of his 13th term. The Simi Valley Republican served as mayor before defeating a high-profile and well-financed challenger in Tony Hope, son of famed late comedian Bob Hope, in Gallegly’s 1986 initial bid for a House seat.
Gallegly, who will turn 68 in March, made the announcement Friday night at a gathering of longtime friends and supporters at his Simi Valley home and in a later email. Although a health scare at one time had caused Gallegly to announce he would retire he ran again, maintaining his always strong lead - 13 percent was the closest anyone ever got to catching him - over Democratic opponents.
Gallegly wrote to supporters, “As you know, your support has been crucial to allowing me to serve our country and our community for more than 30 years. Janice and I thank you for all you have done.... As a friend and longtime supporter, I wanted to let you know before you read it in the newspapers that I have decided not to seek re-election and will retire at the end of this term.”
Gallegly wrote that serving in Congress and “representing my home for 25 years is the greatest experience I could have ever asked for. Working with our country’s leadership on a daily basis in striving to move toward a better, stronger, and more vibrant America for over two decades has been a dream come true. The decision to step aside at this time did not come lightly.
“But in the end, Janice and I decided now was the right time to begin the next chapter in our lives. We are truly blessed to have our health, our family, and so many, many friends that we look forward to spending more time with.... It has been an honor and a privilege to have served our community and our country for the past 25 years and I look forward to continuing to do so for the next year.”
Although Gallegly often faced criticism in Democratic majority Santa Paula over the issue of illegal immigration and other subjects, he was always there when there was a need. In 2005 Gallegly was at the forefront of securing millions and other assistance for Santa Paula Airport when the Santa Clara River flooded and its banks collapsed, destroying a third of the runway. He initiated and fought an ongoing battle for funding to improve Santa Paula Creek - which feeds into the river - which resulted in about $14 million in total funding garnered over years from various agencies.
Gallegly was also instrumental in helping the city secure a $5.74 million FAA grant to secure development rights to Santa Paula Airport. With the purchase of these development rights, the city agreed to ensure that this property remain open to the public as an airport in perpetuity.
Gallegly was supportive of public safety back in Washington, and worked to secure funding to keep first responders at the ready. Back home he made sure to attend the Santa Paula Police Memorial and help obtain a grant for a new fire engine. He and Janice attended Moonlight at the Ranch, benefiting the Santa Paula Police & Fire Foundation, and rode in Santa Paula parades, sometimes Gallegly driving his own 1961 fire engine.
Gallegly also showed strong support for animal rights. He was particularly supportive of veterans, and was instrumental in voting for bills that benefited those who fought for the country.
Gallegly’s decision did not come as a surprise to all: new congressional district maps created by the Citizens Redistricting Commission placed his home just outside the redrawn 26th District. Although House members are not required to live in their own district, Gallegly’s residence was wound up in the 25th District along with fellow Republican incumbent Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon of Santa Clarita.
Although some believed the ultra-conservative McKeon could be challenged by the more moderate conservative Gallegly, except for in his hometown of Simi Valley Gallegly is not well known in the district that McKeon has represented for almost two decades. The 26th District now includes almost all of Ventura County, except for most of Simi Valley.
In a news release Gallegly cited a host of accomplishments over the years, many centered on the support he helped secure for military operations at Naval Base Ventura County - including intense lobbying for the base’s survival during large-scale closures of bases in 1995 and 2005 - and his efforts on behalf of the Port of Hueneme, area transportation projects and the local agricultural industry.
On the national level Gallegly said he is proudest of his work in foreign affairs, including his involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process and, more recently, in sensitive dealings with Libya, where rebels last fall ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi. When he spoke at the SPPD Memorial dedication in May 2011, his appearance was just two days after a weeks-long, behind the scenes effort to help free two American journalists held by the Libyan government, resulting in their release.
The longest serving U.S. representative in Ventura County history, Gallegly is vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement. According to his statement, Gallegly will continue in the next year to work with his colleagues “to help businesses create jobs for Americans and to protect Americans from its enemies, foreign and domestic.”
A native Southern Californian, Gallegly settled in the then primarily rural community of Simi Valley in 1968. He entered public life in 1979 with his election to the Simi Valley City Council, and in 1982 became the City’s first directly elected mayor.
He held that post until he ran for Congress in 1986 when the incumbent ran for the Senate. In that first race for the House, Gallegly was outspent 2-1, but his local ties gave him a landslide victory in the 1986 primary over Hope.
Elton and Janice have four children and 10 grandchildren.
In his note to friends Gallegly noted, “Again, I thank you for your support and friendship. We could not have done it without you. While I am retiring from public office, Janice and I will continue to work on behalf of our community and country. This is not the end, just a new beginning.”
