The Antelope Valley Times

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Runner not seeking re-election

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Sen. Sharon Runner
Sen. Sharon Runner

SACRAMENTO – Senator Sharon Runner (R-Antelope Valley) announced Thursday she will not seek re-election to the California State Senate. Her current term ends in December 2016.

Runner underwent a double lung transplant in 2012 and recently celebrated her fourth anniversary with new lungs. But medical challenges during the cold and flu season have become more difficult to address, Runner said in a news release.

Runner said her doctors advised that the stress of a campaign and four more years in the Legislature would be detrimental to her health.

“This is a difficult decision that was made after a great deal of prayer, thought, and discussions with my family and doctors,” Runner said. “I will continue to work hard and advocate for my constituents for the remainder of my term, but have chosen not to seek re-election. My doctors have stressed the need to slow down, and I will heed their advice.”

Runner was elected to the Senate in March 2015 in a special election to replace then-Senator Steve Knight after he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Runner was the only candidate whose name appeared on the ballot. She previously represented the 21st Senate District from 2011-2012.

“The opportunity to once again represent the 21st District in the State Senate was an unexpected blessing and something I will always be thankful for,” Runner said. “In the coming years, I have every intention of continuing to serve my wonderful community, just not as a member of the Legislature.”

[Information via news release from the office of Senator Sharon Runner.]

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Filed Under: Politics

36 comments for "Runner not seeking re-election"

        • Caligula of the Roman Empire named his horse to the Senate. That horse was smarter than Marv. We have a lot of horses in Lancaster. We should consider them for Vice Mayor.

    • How can you call him corrupt? A lot of mayors buy their office buildings illegally. A lot of mayors sue other cities for voting districts that they don’t have. A lot of mayor use $10 million dollars of taxpayer dollar to fun a spy plane owned by their political contributor. A lot of mayors use the city letterhead to conduct political surveys. A lot of mayors call African American candidates gang candidates. A lot of mayors claim they are pro environment but have private planes, fancy cars, and mansions.

      • But this mayor is getting away with everything. King Rex must be spending a lot of dough paying off people. The insiders and establishment must go!

    • Mayor Rex Parris is such a lying duch bag. He has no concerns for the citizens of the Antelope Valley. .. just ask George Runner

      • I am offended by you calling Parris a douche bag. A douche bag serves a purpose for its user. Parris serves no one except himself.

  2. All the Runners and the rest of the Ole Boy Network have done for decades is line their own pockets. They’re just small time crooks who are like hogs at the public trough. Get rid of all the Boss Hawgs!

  3. Local DMV Scandal….Before Sharon Runner goes she needs to explain the closing down of the Palmdale and Lancaster DMV without community input!

  4. Now Steve is somebody I could get behind if he would just step out and test the waters.Of course the Lancaster power brokers will try and bring a outsider in for the seat but they do not speak for many Republicans that I think would get behind Steve Hofbauer if he could run.

    • Steve Hofbauer is soooo much better than Sacramento Insider Tony Strickland. Didn’t he term out already? His wife too. I think he and his wife Audra served 24 years total between them or something. Another similar pattern with the Runners and Stricklands. Always on Sacramento’s payroll! We don’t need another Sacramento Insider folks. I’d rather vote for local AV person like Hofbauer. I don’t want to vote for anyone King Rex and the Republican Establishment select. Maybe Marv will run. No thanks. We need to draft someone rather than wait for the Establishment to jam someone down our throats again.

      • You leave our poor alcoholic Drew alone. Don’t you know it’s a disease. He has been forgiven by Paul Chappell and Lancaster Baptist Church for his sins and received their blessing to run for another poor sick Mrs. Runner’s seat. Drew will keep Mrs. Runner seat warm until her grand daughter is eligible to run. What a good soldier. Bless his heart. We’re glad to have him in our tea party leadership.

        • Does anyone see the blatant hypocrisy of Lancaster Baptist Church and their blind support for Parris and the Lancaster political machine? The turn a blind eye to Lancaster’s promotion of alcohol at all its events and they remain silent about the corrupt deals like LEAPS. When Parris and Crist spew lies about the one less committing crimes and even how the homeless got here, they say nothing. All the fancy mailers LBC sends me are nothing but painted white sepluchures.

          • They aren’t hypocritical, they are blatantly corrupt. That isn’t a blind eye, it is a bought and paid for wide open eye.

          • LBC doesn’t seem to care about private property. They are putting their Easter signs up all over the place. I saw several in Palmdale and their church is in Lancaster.

    • Very wise advice Doc. But unfortunately there’s no time to test the water. Mrs. Runner waited until the very last minute to say she’s too ill and I think they extended the deadline to file to next week. That’s why I’d say Mr. Hofbauer needs to dive in and get his name out there. The Republican Establishment is probably plotting right now- heck they might even bring back another carpetbagger Tim Donnelly. If the republicans don’t unite, we might end up with Senator Star Moffat.

    • Word is that Sacramento is going to push Scott Wilk. He lives in Santa Clarita. We need someone from the AV. Marv isn’t smart enough. Rex has too much baggage. Ken Mann isn’t going to run. Lou Gonzales doesn’t want to disclose his finances. Ledford has been blackballed by local Repubs. Hofbauer is the best choice. He’s from the AV and has the most experience.

      • Hofbauer is our best chance to take back our community. Did you see the Santa Clarita Signal? King Rex’s brother Rob Parris pulled papers to run for Sharon’s seat! He and Rex pocketed millions by suing Palmdale, Santa Clarita, and all the college and school districts in Santa Clarita. Now he wants to represent our district? He lives in Santa Barbara and commutes to Lancaster. Another carpetbagger! Please run Mr. Hofbauer.

  5. I hear the Republican Establishment is already pushing for carpetbagger Tony Strickland to take over Sharon’s spot. Yes, the same carpet bagging Strickland that ran unsuccessfully against Steve Knight, the same one that supported IBEW union that sabotaged Kinkisharyo from constructing their permanent facility in Palmdale, the same carpet bagger that King Rex and his crony buddy Buck McKeon backed. Well our local hero Steve Knight defeated him successfully and I think we need to draft another Steve to teach this guy a lesson…We need to draft Palmdale Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hofbauer to run for this seat. Unlike Strickland, Steve lives in our district. He has devoted his life to public service. He is so involved with the community, with sea scouts and many other groups. We need to draft Steve and tell the Establishment that they can’t give away our district to someone who doesn’t even live here and who doesn’t care about our district.

    • Sign me up! I’ve talked to Mr. Hofbauer many times and he was able to help me with my issues. He really cares about our community and especially about our youth. And he used to be a fire fighter, protecting people. He has my vote, I want to sign this petition to draft Mr. Hofbauer to run for Mrs. Runner’s seat.

    • Hofbauer would be an advocate for the Antelope Valley. Strickland isn’t even from here. That’s why Knight kicked his butt in the election. We want and need someone in Sacramento who knows the AV. Hofbauer has the experience and he is from the AV. He’s got my vote.

    • Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford is the best person for this job but we love him here and we don’t want to loose him. I’d vote for Steve Hofbauer or anyone he wants me to vote for. It’s better than Minuteman Tim Donnelly or carpetbagger Tony Strickland Insider Scott Wilk or whoever the establishment is planning to shove down out pocket books.

      • I read the biographies of the Lancaster and Palmdale council on their websites. Surprising to me was discovering that Steve Hofbauer has the most statewide experience. Of all the names being tossed around he would be the best.

          • No crap! Now Rob Parris is running. Are you kidding? The Parris brothers have sued Santa Clarita, Palmdale, businesses in Lancaster, VFW Posts in Palmdske and Lancaster, and God knows who else. The name Parris is the kiss of death for the Republicans. Hofbauer is the only hope. If not get ready for a Democrat.

          • If the republicans are going to bring out all the fanatics – Trump, Scott Wilk, Rob Parris, DUI Drew Mercy, Star Moffat, on their republican ticket, I’ll be voting for Dems for the first time in many years. I’d vote for veteran Johnathan Irving over all these crazy corrupt people.

          • Affie, I have to agree with you. Hofbauer is the only one in the bunch I would vote for. If it is Wilk, Parris, DUI Drew or Star, Ervin has my vote.

  6. George and Sharon have no balls to face me in a debate. Sorry for the way you play on empathy on your cancer. You Sharon and your husband George do not have the people’s concern in this state… GO AWAY

  7. I’m sorry that her health isn’t at it’s best but I wouldn’t re-elect her anyways. She lost my vote when she voted against funding for disabled adults. The funding went towards allowing disabled adults to live within the community and thrive. The bills (2 of them) passed NO thanks to Sharon Runner and our State Assemblyman Tom Lackey. Since they voted against disabled persons all I can think they voted for was putting money into their own pockets. They certainly were not there for the most deserving people.

    • Exactly what have the Runners done for the Antelope Valley besides living off the government dole for decades?

      Good that she’s gone.

      • Unfortunately, the first people she told were undoubtedly Rex and the leaders of Lancaster Baptist. No doubt they have already chosen who to run in her place and arranged for them to be elected.

      • Watch them try and bring two time DUI offender Droopy Drew Mercy forward. That the purpose of the late announcement. Sad state of politics if that is the best they could come up with.

        • You nailed it Doc. I couldn’t believe republican establishment’s mouthpiece DUI Drew promising to AV Press that there will be “a consensus candidate.” Is he talking about himself? I guess he hasn’t heard about another “consensus candidate’ Donald Trump! Was DUI Drew on something again? A few margaritas and he’ll say anything. Hope he wasn’t driving afterward.