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Scott Wilk
Minority Leader of the California Senate
In office January 20, 2021 – December 5, 2022
Preceded by	Shannon Grove
Succeeded by	Brian Jones
Member of the California Senate from the 21st district
In office December 5, 2016 – November 30, 2024
Preceded by	Sharon Runner
Succeeded by	Monique Limón (redistricting)
Member of the California State Assembly from the 38th district
In office December 3, 2012 – November 30, 2016
Preceded by	Cameron Smyth
Succeeded by	Dante Acosta
Personal details
Born	Scott Thomas Wilk (1959-03-16) March 16, 1959 (age 65) Lancaster, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Vanessa Safoyan ​(m. 1985)​
Children	2
Education	California State University, Bakersfield (BA)

Scott Thomas Wilk Sr. (born March 16, 1959) is an American politician who served as the California State Senate minority leader from January 20, 2021 until December 5, 2022. He is a Republican who previously represented the 21st district, encompassing Antelope Valley, Victor Valley, and most of the Santa Clarita Valley. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served two terms in the California State Assembly. He was also a College of the Canyons Trustee.

Background

Wilk earned his B.A. in political science from California State University, Bakersfield. He has served on the board of directors of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee. He is a member of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce and a past member of the Granada Hills Rotary Club.

Wilk was appointed to the Santa Clarita College District Board of Trustees on August 23, 2006. He was re-elected in November 2007 and November 2011. He also worked as a small business owner, ran a communications firm, and was a former legislative staffer.

Career

California State Assembly

Wilk was elected to represent the 38th Assembly District on November 5, 2012. He received 56.9% of the vote. Wilk was re-elected in 2014, receiving 66.3% of the vote. While in the Assembly, Wilk served on the following committees: Budget Committee (Sub 4 - State Administration), the Governmental Organization Committee, and the Joint Committee on Arts.

While in the Assembly, Wilk was the principal co-author of the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act. He also co-authored a $420 million tax incentive that helped land a $60 billion aerospace contract expected to create 6,500 new jobs in the High Desert. In 2014, Scott was selected by the non-partisan, non-profit State Legislative Leaders Foundation to attend the Emerging Leaders Program held at the University of Virginia.

California State Senate

In California State Senate, Wilk is the vice-chair of the Governmental Organization committee. On January 20, 2021, Wilk was elected as the Senate Republican Leader.

Elections

2014 California State Assembly

2012 California State Assembly

Endorsements

Unlike many Republicans, Wilk has garnered endorsements from organized labor. He has received an endorsement from AFSCME Local 3299 (American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees) and from other organizations such as the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR), California Professional Firefighters, California ProLife Council, Gun Owners of California, National Rifle Association, PawPAC - California's Political Action Committee for Animals, and Peace Officers Research Association of California.

In 2020, Wilk was endorsed by The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, a news media organization owned by Richard Budman and his wife, Chris. In 2021, ''The Signal listed Wilk at Number 1 on its list of Santa Clarita Valley's most influential people.

Personal life

Wilk and his wife, Vanessa, reside in Santa Clarita with their two dogs. They have two adult children, Scott, Jr. and Alison.

Wilk's wife, Vanessa, is a district director for California State Assembly member Tom Lackey. She is also the chair of the City of Santa Clarita's Arts Commission and a member of the board of directors of the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging.

References

1. Jennewein, Chris (December 5, 2022). "Brian Jones Elected State Senate Minority Leader, Increasing San Diego Area's Clout". Times of San Diego. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
2. "COC incumbents beat challengers". www.signalscv.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-19.
3. "Senate Leader Atkins Announces Committee Membership for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session". January 5, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
4. "Scott Wilk of Santa Clarita selected as state Senate Republican leader". Los Angeles Daily News. City News Service. January 21, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
5. White, Jeremy B. (January 20, 2021). "Wilk replaces Grove as California Senate GOP leader". Politico. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
6. "Endorse Scott Wilk for State Senate". Scott Wilk For State Senate. 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
7. Signal Editorial Board (September 19, 2020). "Our View | Our Endorsements for Legislature". The Santa Clara Valley Signal. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
8. ^ "About". Scott Wilk For State Senate. 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
9. "Arts Commission". City of Santa Clarita. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
10. "Board of Directors". Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging and SCV Senior Center.

External links

• Official website
• Profile at Vote Smart

• 1959 births
• California State University, Bakersfield alumni
• Living people
• People from Santa Clarita, California
• Republican Party California state senators
• Republican Party members of the California State Assembly
• 21st-century members of the California State Legislature