George Whitesides Sworn In, Marking a Political Shift in California's 27th Congressional District

 

By Santa Clarita Star Staff

 

George Whitesides was officially sworn in as the new Representative for California’s 27th Congressional District on January 3, 2025, marking a political shift after defeating incumbent Mike Garcia in the 2024 election. Focused on economic growth, public safety, and addressing environmental challenges like the Chiquita Canyon Landfill disaster, Whitesides brings experience as NASA’s former Chief-of-Staff and Virgin Galactic’s CEO to Congress.

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — On January 3, 2025, Democrat George Whitesides was officially sworn in as the new Representative for California’s 27th Congressional District, marking a significant political shift in the region. Whitesides defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in a closely watched race that garnered national attention.

 

The swearing-in ceremony was held in the U.S. Capitol, where Whitesides took the oath of office alongside other newly elected members of Congress. Addressing supporters after the ceremony, Whitesides expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reiterated his commitment to advancing policies that benefit working families.

 

 

"Was honored to have so many family, friends, supporters and constituents join us for swearing in yesterday," Whitesides wrote on X (former known as Twitter). "We'll announce plans for our in-district swearing-in shortly. Now the work begins!"

 

 

Whitesides’ election victory in November 2024 was a turning point in California’s 27th District, formerly the 25th District. Former fighter pilot Mike Garcia won a special election in the District in May 2020 after Democrat Katie Hill resigned after a scandal that involved the release of explicit images of her and the revelation that she and her husband were having a three-way relationship with one of her staffers. In 2024, Whitesides ran a campaign focused on a message of economic growth, public safety, and safeguarding reproductive freedoms, resonating with voters across the diverse District. He also emphasized his ties to the Antelope Valley and his roles as the Chief-of-Staff at NASA under President Obama and CEO of Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's space company.

 

A New Chapter in the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives convened to elect its Speaker the day after Whitesides' swearing-in. On January 4, 2025, Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was reelected Speaker of the House in a closely watched vote highlighting Republican unity despite initial divisions.

 

 

Johnson secured 218 votes, the minimum needed to win, after two Republicans—Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas—shifted their support to him following discussions on the House floor. The final tally showed that only one Republican, Rep. Tom Massie of Kentucky, voted for an alternative candidate, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota.

 

 

Democrats, meanwhile, unanimously supported their nominee, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who received 215 votes. Jeffries was expected to lose the vote, but Democrats showed that they are maintaining cohesion as the minority party. 

 

 

“It’s fair to say that in a democracy, there’s a time to campaign and a time to govern,” Jeffries said before congratulating Johnson. “The election is over. This is a new Congress. The American people need us as their elected representatives in this season to put down our partisan swords and pick up bipartisan plowshares. It’s time for us to come together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans, to get things done for the people. In that spirit, House Democrats will work hard to find bipartisan common ground with our Republican colleagues and the incoming administration on any issue, whenever and wherever possible, in order to make life better for everyday Americans.”

 

 

In his remarks after the vote, Johnson called for unity and urged lawmakers to focus on implementing incoming President Donald Trump's agenda.

 

 

“But in recent months, we have witnessed something happening, something that’s really remarkable. A political moment in modern history. A groundswell of Americans from every state, race, and religion who now demand that we put the interests of Americans first again. And we will,” Speaker Johnson said on the House floor after being voted Speaker for a second time. “This is a powerful new coalition of our country, it’s a coalition that insists that we purge the policies of ‘America last’ and we bury them in the graveyard of history’s mistakes. To that end, this Congress will renounce the status quo, and we will listen to the voices of the people. We will act quickly, and we will start by defending our nation’s borders. That’s the number one priority.”

 

 

President-elect Donald Trump, who endorsed Johnson, celebrated the outcome. “Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The People of America have waited four years for Common Sense, Strength, and Leadership. They’ll get it now, and America will be greater than ever before!”

 

 

The Road Ahead for Whitesides

As Whitesides settles into his new role, he will have to deal with significant issues in his district, including the Chiquita Canyon Landfill disaster.

 

 

After Chiquita Canyon Landfill announced that it was going to stop accepting more waste effective January 1, 2025, Whitesides reaffirmed his commitment to work for residents affected by the toxic fumes being emitted from the landfill.

"This is an outcome that countless members of our community have been working towards for years," Whitesides posted on X. "There is much more that still needs to be done to resolve the ongoing environmental issues at the landfill and to deliver help to those constituents still facing health impacts. I will be working closely with local, county, state and federal officials as we evaluate next steps. Together, we will continue the work towards a healthier, more sustainable future for our community."

 

 

With Whitesides taking office and Mike Johnson reaffirmed as Speaker, the 118th Congress begins a new chapter characterized by shifting political dynamics and renewed debates over the nation’s future.