Palmdale City Councilman Tom Lackey announced Wednesday his bid for California State Assembly.
PALMDALE – At a press conference Wednesday morning, Palmdale City Councilman Tom Lackey formally announced his decision to run for the California State Assembly in June. Lackey will be running in Assembly District 36 for the seat vacated by Assemblyman Steve Knight who is seeking election to the State Senate.
His supporters so far include Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford, AV Republican Party Chairman Drew Mercy and George Runner.
Surrounded by his family and a crowd of about 20 supporters, including Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford, Antelope Valley Republican Party Chairman Drew Mercy, and Palmdale Planning Commissioner Patricia Shaw, Lackey said he was hoping to restore confidence in the state’s economy.
“We need to return to the economic principles that made this state so great many years ago,” Lackey said. “We need to allow the state government to get out of the way.”
Lackey said, if elected, he would seek to reduce government restrictions, and shift the focus from entitlement to opportunity. He said he has taken a formal tax pledge to not increase taxes.
“That’s not the answer,” Lackey said. “The answer lies in creating more tax payers and creating an environment for success, that’s how we increase our revenues.”
Lackey also said he intended to focus on public education.
“One of the things that I would like to see happen is a restoration of vocational training,” He said. “We need to encourage and promote vocational opportunities as well as four year degrees.”
Lackey listed his credentials for public service, including 27 years of law enforcement experience with the California Highway Patrol, six years on the Palmdale School District Board, and serving as a Palmdale City Councilmember since 2005.
Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said Lackey’s commitment to the Antelope Valley, his diversity of experience, and his track record of being true to himself made Lackey the ideal choice for State Assembly.
Ledford said Lackey is a straightforward guy.
“He’s a straightforward guy, he doesn’t play games, he tells you the way he sees it and yet he can advocate for something that he may not wholeheartedly agree with,” Ledford said. “That will help him in Sacramento, to be able to maybe engage in some dialogue that will advance our state in a way that we will prosper.”
Drew Mercy, Chairman of the Republican Party of the Antelope Valley, said Lackey’s ability to cut through artificial barriers and bring people together in order to get things done made him the perfect choice to send to Sacramento.
“You’ve got George Runner and Mayor Jim Ledford supporting the same candidate,” Mercy said. “You know what you call someone who has George Runner and Jim Ledford supporting them? You call that person the ‘Front Runner.’
In a press statement issued Wednesday, Board of Equalization Member George Runner called Lackey a “standup individual.”
“This is the kind of person that you can trust to do the right thing. We’re going to work very hard to see him make it to the Assembly,” Runner said.
Lackey said support for his campaign has been pouring in and he has already received more than $50,000 in pledges.
Lackey is running against Lancaster Vice Mayor Ron Smith and local attorney Steve Fox.
Lackey said he will run a clean campaign and said many people are tired of “the smear stuff.”
“I think that it’s disheartening and it causes people to draw back and not want to be engaged in the whole process… so you will not see that from me,” Lackey said. “I’m a loyal person.”
The 36th Assembly District includes the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County, The desert communities of Boron, California City, and Mojave in Kern County as well as Wrightwood and Pinon Hills in San Bernardino County.
New low for Rex. His political emissary steals the Political Observer & threatens harm to the businesses that distribute it. Munich 1933? Attaboy Rex.
What a proud achievement for all those Ledford co-opted Democrats who have worked so treacherously hard over the years to subvert Democrats in favor of Republican Ledford’s political agenda!
Ledford running back to Runner, endorsing Lackey. The very embodiment of the OPPOSITE of what Democrats stand for.
Local Democrats–in a demographically weak position already–have allowed themselves to be infiltrated and manipulated by local party so-called “leaders” for so long, it’s come to this.
These Ledford co-opted so-called Dems are now either exposed, or they’ve been stiffed by their John (Jim).
Pathetic.
FORBIDDEN..! No candiates can post here..! NEVER..!
We here ONLY want to see “Negative Posts..” while to poor, beset upon and falsely accused Candiates MUST remain mute…
You candidates BETTER NOT post here, BECAUSE others MIGHT not agree with YOU..!
Just have “Town Hall Meetings” and bogus Media Events that no one goes to.
No one here wants to hear or read your side of the issues.
Hit Mailers are still cool though…
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Really people, how can you expect any candidate or elected official to be responsive when the vast majority of the comments above are rude, insulting and self serving. Our job as citizens is to INSTRUCT elected officials in how to govern effectively and represent our specific needs as state and federal laws are discussed and enacted. Cut the bullXXXX negitivity and act responsibly.
90% of the comments on here are negative. Why do you think the editors had to take down the article about Mayor Rex having prostate cancer? It was because it was filled with comments from a bunch of angry people who have nothing but ugliness inside of them!
The negative comments seem to be directed to Lancaster politicians mainly, as far as The Mayor of Lancaster, we wish him good health and speed recovery, the problem in that situation is the impresion we are getting from his frequent apparancees and speaking opportunities, is that he is working the sympahty vote to further his agendas.
So Mark.. and Wpayo..? Your comments were “Positive..”?
Oh I see…
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Tom Lackey appears to be quite honest and would be a MUCH better choice than Ron “Re-Call..” Smith whom I see as a LOON. Smith has never apologized to me, for saying Mormons are not Christians.
I really would like to hear Brother Lackey’s answers to my questions. I sent him the questions in an email so he does know.
I expect MORE from a LDS member.
What did Republican Assembly member Tom Lackey say or do when I was banned from joining their corrupt little group?
I was also targeted and pulled over by the local CHP officer when he saw me driving by in the opposite direction on Pearblossom Highway to get my mail. He did a power U-turn and ran me down.
He saw my proof of insurance and registration and in my opinion was surprised I had both.
He gave me a warning for having tinted passenger windows after I explained that I found them useful while parking and doing surveillances. I have removed it.
The officer also closely sniffed, apparently to see if had been smoking any of The Evil Pot Lackey HATES.
I think all of this was in response to my emails to local leaders saying that poor people should not have their cars taken for a MONTH because they cannot afford MANDITORY car insurance.
I also posted that Marijuana should be legalized and that people should be able to have tinted windows, pointing out that cops have them.
Further I have posted that cops are exempt from seat belt laws, while NOT wearing them kills the majority of those killed in the line of duty.
I have also publicly called Lackey a Good German who will follow any laws and rules blindly.
FOLKS… The REASON we get the Usual Suspects running for office is that The Republican Assembly picks all candidates and rules over us all.
Brother Lackey, if elected will go to Sacramento and vote Republican in the face of all the Fruits and Nuts that are daily making up new laws that will then NOT be enforced.
For instance… NOTICE how many drivers STILL drive with their head lights off when its raining.
While the goof balls in Sacramento pay for and insist OUR brave CHP officers write Click-It-Or Ticket, NO texting and DUI tickets while people speed and drive like damned idiots.
Yes I wear seat belts and I drive like a little old man. I obey the traffic laws.
But, sending Lackey to Sacramento will help little.
I do think that as an LDS priesthood holder Brother Lackey is duty bound to at least speak out against the rampant immorality destroying OUR kids and OUR families here in the AV.
Don’t you?
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Sorry Ace but Mormons (Morons) are NOT Christians. [removed] Also, you got pulled over because you had ILLEGAL tint.. you must watch your back an awful lot.. thinking the men in white suits are going to get you?
One Of These Days Everyone Will Find Out Who “James..” Really Is
Everyone here knows WHAT “James..” is and so does he or she…
It’s motive is to destroy this news web site by constantly TRYING to be as insulting as he is able…
Since this is mostly a liberal site and since the people it attacks and defames are intent on fighting local corruption, THIS pretty much rules out “James..” being a lib.
It is still not certain what “James..” gender is, but since it is never courageous or manly acting I am assuming “James…” is female…
WHAT IF..? “James..” turns out to be a local elected leader or someone on their staff?
It would LOOK LIKE “James..” has been doing their dirty work on their behalf, even IF that official claimed they never knew about it.
It might cause them to lose an election and have to seek honest work in the Private Sector…
Maybe OUR local leaders should reach out and find out WHO “James..” really is before real damage is done by “James..”?
Maybe not…
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Haha. I am definitely not trying to destroy this news website as I enjoy reading some of the news that’s posted without having to pay for it, like the AV Press.
You are right, I am NOT a liberal. And as far as you “fighting local corruption”, you couldnt be ary farther from the truth. You come here just to whine and cry about whatever is on your mind hoping that people will care for once. Has someone not changed your depends in awhile Johnnie boy? Notice how I don’t thrash other people.. just yourself.. and I’m not the only one who “attacks” you. Get a clue.. it’s YOU. You’re mentally UNSTABLE and should NOT be allowed on the internet. FREEDOM of speech Johnnie boy. Just like you spewing it in your response I can freely post what I want.
As far as me being a ‘local elected leader or someone on their staff” ROFL. Sorry, but I hate dirty politics as much as you, but I also hate you and that’s why I troll YOU and nobody else. I bet you don’t even believe we landed on the moon huh? Damn conspiracy theorists. But as far as finding out who I am before damage is done, bring it, I’m not damaging anything. You’ve already damaged you’re image and politics is nothing but upper class warfare so screw off old man.
By the way, you’re the pet detective, how about you find me? Haha.
Wow.
There’s no good choice. Unless someone else pops up, this Assembly decision is definitely going to be a “hold your nose and pull the lever” vote for the BAD (vs WORSE or WORST) candidate.
It’s sad we can’t do better. The political machinery of this valley is so self-serving, short-sighted, stifling and backwards.
Incorrect statement sir. They don’t come more honest and straight talking than Tom Lackey. He is definitely preferable to the other two. At least he is going into it with some integrity. I can’t say what will happen to him in a few years after Sacramento has its way with him though… I hope he stays strong!
On another note, if you think we can do so much better, then who would YOU like to see run? If you can’t offer up any alternatives then stop criticizing the bunch who at least had the guts to get in the race!!
Word!
You don’t have to be a cook to criticize the cooking.
BTW, I didn’t say Lackey’s not the best (“bad”) choice from among the three.
Palmdale City Councilman Tom lackey For Assembly?
LDS Brother Lackey has apparently done nothing to oppose the following in Palmdale…
1. The harmful sales of fireworks in Palmdale.
2. Time-Warner Cable TV sales of Hard Core Porn from their Palmdale building.
3. The filthy and disgusting Bob and Tom Radio Show from High Desert Broadcasting in Palmdale.
4. The racist, abortion mill opened in Palmdale by Planned Parenthood.
Tom Lackey is also a long time peace officer for the State of California’s Highway Patrol as a Sargent working out of Lancaster…
1. How many times did Sgt. Lackey stop and inspect one of the Smith and Thompson toxic dumper’s tanker trucks dumping their poison all over the desert after midnight?
2. Did Sgt. Lackey have anything to do with the Lancaster CHP illegally, at a cash discount using Smith and Thompson to clean their grease traps?
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Don’t vote for Ronny merely to get rid of him. That’s like letting your dog leave waste on your nighbor’s lawn. Just deal with the dog.
Forgive me Mr. Lackey but I’m voting for Smith only to get rid of him off our council. Its time everone shared his incompetence.
That’s a terrible reason. Hell vote for Fox then if you want to reduce the population of buffoons in the AV by one.