State Assembly Q&A: Republican Terry Rathbun

Terry Rathbun, a Republican, is running for a California State Assembly seat in the 41st District.

His name will be on the Nov. 2 ballot alongside the incumbent, Democrat Julia Brownley, and Green Party candidate Linda Piera-Avila.

Rathbun was born in Sun Valley, raised in Panama City, and now resides in Encino.

Rathbun served in the U.S. Navy from 1990-99, and was part of OperationDesert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. He said his time spent in the military prepared him for leadership and working among large groups of people, qualities that would allow him to be an effective member of the Assembly.

After his time with the military, Rathbun returned to Los Angeles where he attended college. He now owns and manages his own IT consulting business.

"As a small business owner I like to have personal relationships with each of my clients," Rathbun said. "I want to establish these types of relationships with the cities in my district."

Rathbun said he likes to spend his off-time golfing, fishing, volunteering for the Kiwanis Club of Northridge and coaching youth baseball.

"I will bring a principled leadership that does not sellout values for earmarks or lobbyist interests, a leadership that represents the district to Sacramento instead of Sacramento being represented to the people," Rathbun said.

Agoura Hills Patch: How will you represent the 41st District?

Terry Rathbun: Once elected I will establish a relationship with the 41st District that is 75 percent personal and 25 percent policy, the policies created will be the results of that relationship. Nine out of 10 people do not know their representative; I want the people to know who is representing them.

Patch: How will you be representing our community?

Rathbun: We need a lot of regulatory reform. Environmental regulations imposed on small businesses are hurting them rather than helping them. We can pull some back so we have a balance. Human rights are being trampled on by certain environmental policies where they can be solved by just being leveled out.

Patch: What do you suggest we do in regard to our state's high unemployment rate?

Rathbun: What we need to do is let prosperity back into the state. California is ranked number one in the nation in access to capital. Yet businesses have trouble getting started here, as we are ranked last in the country as having a friendly business environment. We need to get people access to that capital and start producing.

Patch: What can local voters plan to gain from your election?

Rathbun: I will be acting in their best interest and not the special interest of Sacramento. In response to Brownley's [proposed] plastic bag ban, I would suggest that it be up to city governments to decide whether or not to ban the plastic bag. The local governments govern the best.