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.
Life and career
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.[1]
Political career
Prior to becoming a congressman in 1999, Kuykendall was a member of the California State Assembly between 1994 and 1998. He was elected to the Assembly by defeating incumbent Betty Karnette.
In 1998, he successfully waged a campaign for Congress and served in the 106th Congress from January 3, 1999, to January 3, 2001. He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 2000. In the US House, Kuykendall served on the Armed Services, Science, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4][5]
Death
He died of pulmonary fibrosis on January 22, 2021, in Long Beach, California at age 73.[6]
Electoral history
| 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
- ^ "Steven T. Kuykendall Obituary - Fisher House Southern California". January 28, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ "Committee Assignments". Archived from the original on December 25, 2000.
- ^ "Former Congressman Kuykendall Donates Archives to Library". Inside CSULB. California State University, Long Beach. December 1, 2009.
- ^ "Former GOP Lawmakers: Put Country over Party and Impeach President Trump". Project On Government Oversight. January 11, 2021.
- ^ Bowden, John (January 11, 2021). "22 retired GOP members of Congress call for Trump's impeachment". The Hill.
- ^ "Former congressman, Fisher House leader Steve Kuykendall dies at 73". Presstelegram.com. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 25, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
