Santa Barbara County’s often overlooked Republican Congressman
Elton Gallegly has formalized his decision to seek an 11th term in
Congress. The staunch national-security advocate from Simi Valley
filed his re-election papers in Ventura last Friday, joining a race
for the 24th District that currently includes Democratic
challengers Jill Martinez and Brett Wagner. The 24th
District – which covers the inland area between Simi Valley and
Vandenberg Air Force Base – has been a stronghold for Republican
candidates and causes since the controversial redistricting
following the 2000 census.