Steven T. Kuykendall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's36th district | |
| In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Jane Harman |
| Succeeded by | Jane Harman |
| Member of theCalifornia State Assembly from the54th district | |
| In office December 5, 1994 – November 30, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Betty Karnette |
| Succeeded by | Alan Lowenthal |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1947-01-27)January 27, 1947 |
| Died | January 22, 2021(2021-01-22) (aged 73) Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jan Kuykendall |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma City University (BS) San Diego State University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1968–1973 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Steven T. Kuykendall (January 27, 1947 – January 22, 2021) was an Americanpolitician andRepublican member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 36th congressional district from 1999 to 2001 in the106th Congress. He defeated DemocratJanice Hahn in the 1998 election with 49% of the vote. He was narrowly defeated for re-election in 2000 by his predecessorJane Harman, who had relinquished her seat to run forGovernor in 1998. Kuykendall was the only freshman congressman to be defeated for re-election in 2000.[1]
A resident of thePalos Verdes Peninsula, Kuykendall was born inMcAlester, Oklahoma. He studied atOklahoma City University and earned his MBA fromSan Diego State University. Kuykendall also served in theUnited States Marine Corps for two tours in theVietnam War.[2][3]
Prior to becoming a congressman in 1999, Kuykendall was a member of theCalifornia State Assembly between 1994 and 1998. He was elected to the Assembly by defeating incumbentBetty Karnette.
In 1998, he successfully waged a campaign forCongress and served in the106th 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 theArmed Services,Science, and theTransportation and Infrastructure Committees.[4]
Kuykendall ran again for the Assembly in 2004 but was unsuccessful. He also served on theRancho Palos VerdesCity Council from 1991 to 1994, holding the position ofmayor in 1994. His political archives were donated to theCalifornia State University, Long Beach library.[5]
In 2012, he ran for the newly created47th congressional district. He placed third in the jungle primary and did not make the November runoff, which was won by DemocratAlan Lowenthal.
In January 2021, Kuykendall signed a letter calling on Republicans to impeach PresidentDonald Trump after the2021 storming of the United States Capitol.[6][7]
He died ofpulmonary fibrosis on January 22, 2021, inLong Beach, California at age 73.[8]
| 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% |
| California Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theCalifornia State Assembly from the54th district 1994 – 1998 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 36th congressional district 1999 – 2001 | Succeeded by Jane Harman |
