Congressman Buck McKeon has announced his intention to run for reelection in 2012:

“With the release of the first draft maps by the California Redistricting Commission, I am announcing my intention to seek re-election to Congress from the community where my wife Patricia and I raised our family and have called home for over 40 years.

“While this may be a new congressional district, it is one I am extremely familiar with, having represented over three quarters of the area for the past 18 plus years in Congress.  Prior to my service in Congress, I served on the local High School Board, as the first Mayor of the City of Santa Clarita, and operated our family business.

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered right to your inbox

“As a resident of this community, I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents from the Antelope and Santa Clarita Valleys, where I have provided the conservative leadership needed to cut excessive government spending and put people back to work.

“Additionally, as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to ensuring the safety of our country, as well as providing the necessary resources and equipment for our men and women who serve in harm’s way in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

“It is my hope, however, that the Redistricting Commission will make more of an effort to respect city and county lines.  With the release of the second draft lines, I encourage the Commission to consider restoring all of the city of Santa Clarita in this new congressional district while keeping the entire district within the County of Los Angeles.

“It has been my great honor serving the constituents of the 25th Congressional District and I look forward to continuing to do so in the next Congress.”