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Gallegly reverses course, expects to run again |
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By Chris Good
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Posted: 04/28/07 11:13 AM [ET] |
In the reversal of an announcement made during the 2006 campaign, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) said he will seek reelection in 2008, according to local news reports.
“I am officially a candidate,” Gallegly told the Ventura County Star. “If for any reason there is a change in my position before the 2008 election, I will give ample notice, but that isn’t an anticipated thing at this point.”
Last year, the 11-term lawmaker tried to pull out of the congressional race in March after being diagnosed with an undisclosed illness. Announcing his withdrawal hours before the deadline, Gallegly was too late to take his name off the ballot.
Given a clean bill of health five days later, Gallegly decided to make the technicality official and remain in the race. However, the lawmaker said at the time that, if her were reelected, an 11th term would be his last.
Though Gallegly did not announce until this week, he reported raising $65,793 in campaign funds in 2007. The Federal Elections Commission lists the Gallegly campaign as having $799,883 through March, but Gallegly said by now he has around $850,000.
Gallegly, 63, said he remains in good health. “I may not run the 100-yard dash as fast as I did when I was 18 or 19 years old,” Gallegly told the paper, “but I can probably figure a way to get to the finish line about as quickly as I did then.” |
