KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
After releasing a statement Monday morning stating that he was “looking to run” for Congress, former Congressman Steve Knight took time to speak with KHTS about why he is eyeing a run in 2020.
Following the resignation of Congresswoman Katie Hill, D-Agua Dulce, on Sunday, Knight issued a statement addressing the potential for his entry into the 2020 race.
“After serving my community and country for nearly three decades, I will always answer the call when needed,” Knight said in the statement, which was sent from a campaign email address. “At this point, we are entering uncharted waters. I am looking to run and am thankful for all the calls encouraging me to return to Congress.”
However, when asked about his campaign during a phone call with KHTS, Knight said that he and his team were “not a hundred percent yet.”
“We’re looking at the whole thing,” Knight said. “We want to take back the seat. If that means me jumping into the race, then that’s what we’ll do, and if not, that’s ok.”
One consideration Knight says he and his team are taking into account is the number of Republican candidates already in the field for the 2020 race.
“My job is not to go in there and take down the other candidates in our party,” Knight said.
Currently, three Republican candidates have been running for the past several months: former Naval Fighter Pilot Mike Garcia, Lancaster City Councilwoman Angela Underwood Jacobs and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Mark Cripe.
“I think Mike Garica has probably made the biggest splash so far,” Knight said. “But there are other candidates running as well.”
See Related: Assemblywoman Christy Smith Announces Run For Congress
Knight previously served as the Congressman for the 25th California Congressional district for four years before losing to Hill in 2018.
“There’s obviously things we should’ve done better,” Knight said. “When you lose an election, you do want to learn from that.”
Opposing the Republican candidates in the race thus far are Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, who announced her campaign Monday morning, and David Rudnick, who had still not filed the Oct. 15 quarterly report as of the publication of this article.
“It still comes down to you wanting the voters to come out, and to get people educated on the issues,” Knight said. “I would make sure that I was really out in front and letting people know that I am the most qualified and that I know what I’m doing.”
Knight concluded by saying that he was going to take some more time to consider his options with his team.
“I think to take a couple days to talk to my team and to other people about running, I think that helps,” Knight said.
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Steve please don’t run again. You had your turn. We are behind Mike Garcia all the way. We all need to get behind one person and that person is not you!
I agree, Steve Knight was and is too weak on illegal immigration. Mike Garcia has taken a stronger position and gets my vote, not Steve Knight.
Steve.
Please run avaiy. You did not deserve to loose in the last election. Actually, you did not loose in the rigged results
Yeah a nine-point loss was “rigged.” Riiiiiight.
Steve LOST. Republicans need to acknowledge reality and stop resorting to excuses.
Granted, it’s early in the campaign – separate of Ms. Hill’s resignation. By the way, has the soon to be former Congresswoman given a date that she will leave office? The resignation date appears illusive – must be planning the correct dates to coincide with Federal laws on the matter as to when a special election must be called….in other words, getting the best bang for the buck to be more favorable – date wise for the democrats.
I am comfortable as to where former Congressman Knight stands on issues relating to business – and specifically, small business. However, I have not really heard much from Mr. Garcia – and I would like to understand his positions. I’ve listened to some of his interviews at KHTS – but I haven’t heard anything specific to needs of the business community. If Mr. Garcia has spoken about his views in relation to business and provided his vision – I would like to know.
In all fairness to Mr. Garcia, I would not expect him to have formulated all of his policy ideas/goals this early into the campaign – but with the understandable and correct decision to resign by Congresswoman Hill, this has upset the apple cart – and many decisions have to made in the next few days by potential Republican candidates.
Right now, my lean is to former Congressman Knight, but am open to Mr. Garcia.
I am no way impressed by Ms. Smiths record so far in her dismal outreach to the local business community. Up to this point, her positions have been deft, and her use of bullying and boycott tactics toward a small local Santa Clarita business is akin to mob action and thuggery. Ms. Smith is beholden to the labor unions. So unless your company has a bargaining agreement, you can forget about any support from Ms. Smith regarding any business issues – unless it’s favorable to the labor unions.
Any thoughts?
SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT
Repugnant, reptilian republican enabler of #putinsbitch. Knight OUT. NOT NOW, NOT EVER
Vote Republican people and save us
Why would ANYONE vote Republican as long as they, as a party, refuse to stop the lout, Trump’s trampling of the Constitution, his arrogant disrespect for our allies, his dismantling of our social safety nets, education, food assistance for children, the environment not to mention that Individual #1 answers to our biggest foe, Putin.
I too have heard nothing from Mike Garcia that didn’t come right off a bumper sticker. Mike, where’s the beef? Do you have policies? Plans? Ideas? You come off as an authoritarian, good at following orders but not at leading.
Sadly Dems are doing the same as we watch these witch hunts and secret trials. Time to mandate what should be a basic premise – UNDERSTAND the Constitution and the laws that GOVERN our elected officials. WE THE PEOPLE need to DEMAND our Government WORK for us. Nothing is being done in DC and it is pushing kids towards Socialism- Who’d have thought!
“Our allies” LMAOOO
Yeah, the same allies who have been taking US taxpayer money since world war 2, but gets offended when we simply ask them to help pay for their own defense.
No Complacency this time around, It really important we get out and support Garcia or Knight at the polls. The demographics of the SCV are changing, we are getting flooded with overflow from the SFV. We need someone who really cares for the 25th district.