Tony Strickland switches filing to Rep. Buck McKeon district

Shortly after dropping out of a Ventura County-based congressional district race and endorsing a fellow Republican, former state Sen. Tony Strickland has taken an official step to run in a neighboring district, records show.

Strickland on Nov. 29 filed a notice with the Federal Election Commission that he is interested in running to represent the 25th Congressional District, a seat now held by Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita). But a spokesman for Strickland said “Tony has the utmost respect” for McKeon and “should he choose to retire, he would plan to run in the 25th District to replace him.”

Speculation that McKeon will retire has been building but a spokeswoman said Monday that “Congressman McKeon hasn’t made any decisions about 2014.”

Other Republicans likely would join the race if McKeon steps down. The GOP holds a 39%-35% registration edge over Democrats in the congressional district, although its advantage has been narrowing in recent years.

Rep. Julia Browney (D-Oak Park) narrowly defeated Strickland last year in what was then an open-seat, newly drawn 26th Congressional District. He had planned to challenge her next year but signaled his change of plans last week when Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) announced he will run and Strickland endorsed him.

Both major parties have shown they intend to fight hard for this swing district, where Democrats hold just a four-point edge over Republicans.

ALSO:

California sues SAP over payroll system failures

GOP Assemblyman Jeff Gorell to challenge Rep. Julia Brownley

California’s budget outlook is the best in a decade, analyst says

[email protected]

Twitter: @jeanmerl