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American politician (born 1950) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Randy Greg Voepel (born September 21, 1950) is an American politician. He served in the city government of Santee, California, and in the California State Assembly from the 71st district. He was the vice-chair of the Veterans Affairs, Aging & Long-Term Care, and Public Employment & Retirement committees and a member of the Insurance, Local Government, and Joint Legislative Audit committees. Voepel lost his reelection bid in the 2022 California State Assembly election, with his term ending on December 6, 2022.
Randy Voepel | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 71st district | |
| In office December 5, 2016 – December 6, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Jones |
| Succeeded by | Kate Sanchez |
| Mayor of Santee, California | |
| In office 2000–2016 | |
| Preceded by | Jack E. Dale |
| Succeeded by | John Minto |
| Member of the Santee City Council | |
| In office 1996–2000 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 21, 1950 Saint Charles, Missouri, U.S.[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 2, including Laura |
| Residence(s) | Santee, California, U.S. |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
On September 21, 1950, Voepel was born in Saint Charles, Missouri.[1][2] In August 1969, Voepel enlisted in the United States Navy. During the Vietnam War, Voepel served on the USS Buchanan, a guided-missile destroyer. Voepel received the Combat Action Ribbon and military awards.[2][3]
In 1996, Voepel became a member of the Santee City Council. In 2000, Voepel became the Mayor of Santee until 2016.[4]
On November 8, 2016, Voepel won the election and became a Republican member of California State Assembly for District 71, encompassing most of inland San Diego County and part of Riverside County.
In 2022, redistricting would have placed him into a new district with another member of the state Assembly, Marie Waldron, but Voepel lost by a wide margin.[5]
Following the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Voepel said, "This is Lexington and Concord. First shots fired against tyranny. Tyranny will follow in the aftermath of the Biden swear-in on January 20th."[6]
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 77,069 | 61.1 | |
| Democratic | Liz "Elizabeth" Lavertu | 49,073 | 38.9 | |
| Total votes | 126,142 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 136,156 | 59.6 | |
| Democratic | Liz "Elizabeth" Lavertu | 92,385 | 40.4 | |
| Total votes | 228,541 | 100.0 | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 41,561 | 43.6 | |
| Democratic | James Elia | 30,672 | 32.2 | |
| Republican | Larry A. Wilske | 23,106 | 24.2 | |
| Total votes | 95,339 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 100,386 | 60.6 | |
| Democratic | James Elia | 65,194 | 39.4 | |
| Total votes | 165,580 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Randy Voepel | 51,857 | 59.9 | |
| Republican | Leo Hamel | 23,990 | 27.7 | |
| Republican | Tony Teora | 10,770 | 12.4 | |
| Total votes | 86,617 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Randy Voepel | 108,049 | 65.8 | |
| Republican | Leo Hamel | 56,184 | 34.2 | |
| Total votes | 164,233 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
Voepel was formerly married to Pamela Palmer.[9] He is now married to Susan. He has two adult children.[1] His grandson is identified as the suspect charged in the 2022 Colorado Springs nightclub shooting.[10][11][12] His former son-in-law is Aaron Brink, a mixed martial arts fighter and former pornographic film actor.[13] Voepel and his wife live in Santee, California.[4]
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