Representative Steven T. Kuykendall

Steven T. Kuykendall (January 27, 1947 – January 22, 2021) was an American politician and businessman who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from California from 1999 to 2001. A resident of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, he was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, and later moved to California, where he established his professional and political career. His tenure in Congress coincided with a significant period in American history at the close of the 20th century, during which he participated in the federal legislative process and represented the interests of his constituents.

Kuykendall pursued higher education at Oklahoma City University and subsequently earned a Master of Business Administration degree from San Diego State University in California. In addition to his academic training, he served in the United States Marine Corps, completing two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. His military service informed much of his later public work, particularly his interest in national defense and veterans’ issues.

Kuykendall’s political career began at the local level in Southern California. He served on the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council from 1991 to 1994 and held the position of mayor in 1994. Building on his municipal experience, he successfully ran for the California State Assembly in 1994, defeating incumbent Betty Karnette. He served in the Assembly from 1994 to 1998, representing his district in Sacramento and gaining experience in state-level legislative affairs before seeking federal office.

In 1998, Kuykendall waged a successful campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives from California’s 36th congressional district. Running as a Republican, he defeated Democrat Janice Hahn with 49 percent of the vote. He entered the 106th Congress on January 3, 1999, and served until January 3, 2001, completing one term in office. During this period, he contributed to the legislative process as a member of the House of Representatives, participating in the democratic process and representing the interests of his constituents in Washington, D.C.

While in Congress, Kuykendall served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Science Committee, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. His assignments reflected both his military background and his interest in technology, infrastructure, and national security. As a member of the 106th Congress, he took part in deliberations and votes on defense policy, scientific research and development, and transportation and public works, helping to shape federal legislation at the turn of the century.

Kuykendall’s congressional service ended after the 2000 election. He was narrowly defeated for re-election by Democrat Jane Harman, who had previously held the 36th district seat and had relinquished it in 1998 to run for Governor of California. His loss made him the only freshman member of the U.S. House of Representatives to be defeated for re-election in the 2000 election cycle. Despite this setback, he remained active in public life and Republican politics in California.

Following his term in Congress, Kuykendall continued to seek elective office and to engage in civic affairs. He ran again for the California State Assembly in 2004 but was unsuccessful. In 2012, he entered the race for the newly created 47th congressional district; he placed third in California’s “jungle primary” system and did not advance to the November runoff, which was won by Democrat Alan Lowenthal. Beyond electoral politics, Kuykendall’s commitment to public service was reflected in the donation of his political archives to the California State University, Long Beach library, preserving his papers for research and historical study.

In his later years, Kuykendall remained involved in national political discourse. In January 2021, in the aftermath of the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, he joined other Republicans in signing a letter calling on members of his party to support the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump. Steven T. Kuykendall died of pulmonary fibrosis on January 22, 2021, in Long Beach, California, at the age of 73, concluding a career that spanned military service, local government, the California State Assembly, and the U.S. House of Representatives.