Steven T. Kuykendall

Steven T. Kuykendall (January 27, 1947 – January 22, 2021) was an American politician and Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 36th congressional district from 1999 to 2001 in the 106th Congress. He defeated Democrat Janice Hahn in the 1998 election with 49% of the vote. He was narrowly defeated for re-election in 2000 by his predecessor Jane Harman, who had relinquished her seat to run for Governor in 1998. Kuykendall was the only freshman congressman to be defeated for re-election in 2000. After his defeat, he was mentioned as a possible Bush Administration candidate for Under Secretary of the Navy.

Steven T. Kuykendall
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 36th district
In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Jane Harman
Succeeded by	Jane Harman
Member of the California Assembly from the 54th district
In office December 5, 1994 – December 7, 1998
Preceded by	Betty Karnette
Succeeded by	Alan Lowenthal
Personal details
Born	January 27, 1947 McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	January 22, 2021 (aged 73) Long Beach, California
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jan Kuykendall
Alma mater	San Diego State University

Life and career

Kuykendall with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher

Prior to becoming a congressman, Kuykendall was a member of the California State Assembly between 1994 and 1998. He was elected to the Assembly by defeating incumbent Betty Karnette. Kuykendall ran again for the Assembly in 2004 but was unsuccessful. He also served on the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council from 1991 to 1994, holding the position of mayor in 1994. His political archives were donated to the California State University, Long Beach library.[1]

A resident of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Kuykendall was born in McAlester, Oklahoma. He studied at Oklahoma City University and earned his MBA from San Diego State University. Kuykendall also served in the United States Marine Corps for two tours in the Vietnam War.

In 2012, he ran for the newly created 47th congressional district. He placed third in the jungle primary and did not make the November runoff, which was won by Democrat Alan Lowenthal.

In January 2021, Kuykendall signed a letter calling on Republicans to impeach President Donald Trump after the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol.[2][3]

He died of pulmonary fibrosis on January 22, 2021, in Long Beach, California at age 73.[4]

Electoral history

California's 36th congressional district: Results 1998–2000[5]

Year		Democrat	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
1998		Janice Hahn	84,624	47%		Steven T. Kuykendall	88,843	49%		Robin Barrett	Green	3,612	2%		Kerry Welsh	Libertarian	3,066	2%		John R. Konopka	Reform	1,561	1%
2000		Jane Harman	115,651	48%		Steven T. Kuykendall	111,199	47%		Daniel R. Sherman	Libertarian	6,073	3%		John R. Konopka	Reform	3,549	1%		Matt Ornati	Natural Law	2,264	1%

References

1. "Former Congressman Kuykendall Donates Archives to Library". Inside CSULB. California State University, Long Beach. December 1, 2009.
2. https://www.pogo.org/letter/2021/01/former-gop-lawmakers-put-country-over-party-and-impeach-president-trump/
3. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/533669-22-retired-gop-members-of-congress-call-for-trumps-impeachment
4. "Former congressman, Fisher House leader Steve Kuykendall dies at 73". Presstelegram.com. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
5. "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 25, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007.

External links

• United States Congress. "Steven T. Kuykendall (id: K000357)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Official site
• CNN candidate profile
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Appearances on C-SPAN