The Antelope Valley could prove a key battleground in both parties’ effort to control the House as Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita) faces a Democratic challenger with deep pockets in the race for California’s 27th congressional district.
Garcia was first elected to represent the communities of Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster in a May 2020 special election. He defended the seat in the 2020 and 2022 general elections.
Now, Democratic candidate George Whitesides is now hoping to flip it.
The former NASA Chief of Staff and CEO of Virgin Galactic was endorsed by Sen. Alex Padilla and is on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue list,” which gives him access to fundraising and organizational support from the party. He has raised more than $3 million so far and entered the year with a $500,000 cash on hand advantage over Garcia.
Steve Hill, a former prison guard, veteran and self-professed satanist, is also running against Garcia as a Democrat and has not filed any contribution reports. Hill said he feels confident in his candidacy, noting “I’ve been in a prison riot before… I think I can handle Congress.”
Garcia acknowledged he faces real competition, but expressed confidence in his ability to hold onto the seat having defeated Democratic challenger Christy Smith in the last three elections. He has raised more than $2.9 million so far.
“I take every opponent seriously and I respect every opponent, but they better run hard and they better be prepared,” said Garcia in an interview. “You can raise all the money in the world, but it’s not about money. It’s about the candidate’s willingness to knock on doors and meet people and build bridges and gain their trust.”
Republicans and Democrats alike are keeping a close eye on the battleground district.
The area has historically been conservative. But it turned blue in recent years as more families — and in particular Black and Latino families — moved…
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