Preceded by Jane Harman Role American Politician Political party Republican Spouse Jan Kuykendall (m. 1970) | Religion Presbyterianism Party Republican Party Name Steven Kuykendall Succeeded by Jane Harman | |
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Born January 27, 1947 (age 77)
McAlester, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, U.S. ( 1947-01-27 ) Alma mater San Diego State University Education Oklahoma City University, San Diego State University | ||
Steven T. Kuykendall (born January 27, 1947) is an American politician and former Republican member of the House of Representatives from California's 36th congressional district from 1999 to 2001 in the 106th Congress. He defeated Democrat Janice Hahn in the 1998 election with 49% of the vote. He was defeated for reelection in 2000 by his predecessor Jane Harman, who had relinquished her seat to run for governor in 1998. Kuykendall was the only freshman congressman to be defeated for reelection in 2000. After his defeat, he was mentioned as a possible Bush Administration candidate for Under Secretary of the Navy.
Life and career
Prior to becoming a congressman, Kuykendall was a member of the California State Assembly between 1994 and 1998. He was elected to the Assembly by defeating incumbent Betty Karnette. Kuykendall ran again for the Assembly in 2004 but was unsuccessful. He also served on the city council of Rancho Palos Verdes from 1991 to 1994, holding the position of mayor in 1994. His political archives were donated to the California State University, Long Beach library.
A resident of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Kuykendall was born in McAlester, Oklahoma. He studied at Oklahoma City University and earned his MBA from San Diego State University. Kuykendall also served in the United States Marine Corps for two tours in the Vietnam War.
In 2012 he ran for the newly created 47th congressional district. He placed third in the jungle primary and did not make the November runoff.