Assemblyman Gorell Ordered Back to Afghanistan

As voters swept Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) into the state assembly last November, he announced that the Navy was going to order him to ship out.

His “boots on the ground” order came Friday as the representative for the 37th state assembly district revealed he will be unable to serve in Sacramento for at least 12 months, or half of his two-year term.

His district includes parts of Chatsworth, Canoga Park, West Hills, Northridge, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Castaic, Santa Clarita, Acton, Lake Hughes, Lancaster and Palmdale.

Assemblyman Gorell, who currently holds the rank of Lt. Commander with the Naval Reserve, is an intelligence officer and previously served a tour of duty in Afghanistan shortly after the events of 9/11.

According to his office, "legislation authored by Gorell will be guided through the legislature by Chief of Staff Mark Timmerman; his legislative director, Samuel Chung; and a bipartisan group of co-authors that have joined him in introducing his bills.  In the district office, District Director Ernie Villegas will continue to take the lead in responding to constituent affairs and conducting community outreach."

During the time that he will be on active duty, Gorell will not be receiving his legislative salary or benefits, his office said.

Gorell, an attorney and former public relations aide to Gov. Pete Wilson, is married, lives in Camarillo and has two young children.