Maddox doesn’t mind change of plans

Alicia Robinson

Three terms in the state Assembly will come to an end for Ken Maddox

at the end of the year, but rather than being upset by his failed bid

for the Senate, he’s happy to have had the chance to serve at all.

John Campbell, the 70th District Assemblyman, won a three-way GOP

race for the 35th District Senate seat with 60.5% of the vote

Tuesday. Maddox, the 68th District Assemblyman, took second with 30%

of the vote, and Dana Point Mayor Joe Snyder netted 9.5% at the

ballot box.

“I got hit by a freight train,” Maddox said. “A lot of it just

came down to some real big-money special interests, aligned with the

new governor weighing in against me.”

Campbell garnered a high-profile endorsement from Gov. Arnold

Schwarzenegger, who had endorsed few candidates in the primary.

Term limits are ending Maddox’s Assembly career. He will

concentrate on completing his term this year, and the next big date

on his calendar is his son’s 4th birthday party later this month.

Beyond that, he hasn’t decided what he’ll do next.

Some of his legislation will serve as his legacy, Maddox said.

“I have a record that I’m extremely proud of, plus I was fortunate

to ever serve in the legislature, so I’m very content,” he said.

Legislation to clean up the Orange County coastline, California’s

Amber Alert bill and a “safe haven” bill to allow unwanted newborns

to be dropped off safely are a few of the bills Maddox introduced, he

said.

In the coming months, Maddox will focus on getting more money into

classrooms and encouraging use of renewable energy as well as the

ongoing budget situation.

While the campaign was rough at times and relations with Campbell

may be “a little sore for awhile,” Maddox said, he harbors no ill

will toward his opponent and colleague.

“I just feel incredibly fortunate to have done what I’ve done,” he

said. “I came out here with all my belongings packed in the back of a

Plymouth Horizon, and I got to serve in the California legislature,

so I’m just the luckiest guy in the world. There’s no hard feelings

at all.”

Campbell said he’s pleased that he was chosen by Republican voters

Tuesday.

“I think that’s an overwhelming show of support for the work I’ve

done in the legislature the last four years,” he said. “I’m honored

by it and I will not let the people down.”

His focus in the coming months will be on revisions to the state

budget and reforming worker’s compensation regulations, he said.