When newly elected Congressman Steve Kuykendall arrived in Washington, D.C. in January 1999, the Palos Verdes Republican made a point of visiting Tom DeLay as soon as possible. DeLay, a Republican from the Houston area then entering his eighth term in the House of Representatives, had served as the majority whip since 1995. In a legislature, the whip is responsible for ensuring that party members fall in line for upcoming votes. For those on the fence, DeLay would threaten to support primary challenges in an upcoming election, or to cripple a representative’s fundraising with unfavorable calls to influential donors. His reputation for intolerance of even occasional lapses earned him the nickname “The Hammer.”
Newsom Calls May 4 Special Election To Fill State Senate Seat Vacated By Holly Mitchell Syndicated Local – CBS Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday scheduled a May 4 special election to fill the state Senate seat vacated by Holly Mitchell, who was recently sworn in to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The primary election will be held on March 2.
Mitchell cruised to victory with 60.89% of the vote, compared to Wesson’s 39.11%, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office. Mitchell held a lead of more than 106,000 votes.
Her victory meant the county board once referred to as “five little kings” is now run by five women for the first time in its history.