John W. Brantuk, Sr.

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John W. Brantuk, Sr. (b. September 11, 1950) is a California business owner and political leader within the Republican Party. He has held a number of leadership positions within official GOP bodies as well as within activist groups and causes. He has twice won the Republican Party nomination for the 56th District seat in the California State Assembly.

Currently he serves as a member of the California Republican Party state central committee and the Orange County Republican Central Committee.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Party activism 3 Political advocacy 4 Family

[edit] Early life

John Brantuk was born on September 11, 1950 in Montebello, California and spent his childhood growing up in nearby Whittier with his mother, father and younger brother.

After graduating from high school he was accepted into and attended the University of California, Los Angeles. After college, Brantuk enlisted into and served six years in the Army National Guard where he trained as a tank commander in armored cavalry. He was honorably discharged in 1976.

[edit] Party activism

In 1996 John Brantuk ran for and was elected to the 58th Assembly District Republican Central Committee in Los Angeles County, representing his hometown of Whittier, birthplace of Montebello, as well as South El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs and Norwalk. He would continue to run for and be elected to the central committee in 1998 and 2000. He was elected Vice Chairman of the 58th A.D. Central Committee in 1998.

In 2000 he served in a senior advisory capacity to fellow Republican Alex Burrola's campaign for the 58th Assembly District seat against Democrat Thomas Calderon. In the course of that campaign year he and others within Republican circles grew increasingly disenchanted with the actions and words of local congressional candidate and gadfly Robert Canales. With the support and blessing of a number of local leaders Brantuk launched a spirited but unsuccessful write-in campaign as a Republican alternative to both Canales and incumbent Democrat Grace Napolitano for the 34th Congressional District seat.

After the 2000 census and subsequent redistricting process Brantuk decided to seek the Republican nomination for the 56th Assembly District seat in 2002. This new district included Whittier, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Cerritos, Lakewood, Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens in Los Angeles County, and Buena Park in Orange County. Brantuk won the GOP nomination and faced off against Democrat nominee and Norwalk City Councilman Rudy Bermudez in the general election, in which Bermudez defeated Brantuk 63% to 37%.

Brantuk and Bermudez had a rematch in the 2004 election, in which Bermudez again won 61% to Brantuk's 39%.

Brantuk is currently serving as a member of the 56th Assembly District Republican Central Committee from Orange County, as was appointed to the state central committee of the California Republican Party by Chairman Ron Nehring.

[edit] Political advocacy

One of John Brantuk's key issues has been that of the Second Amendment and right to self defense. He was an early attendee and supporter of the Lawyers Second Amendment Society's monthly "ATF Night" event held in Culver City, California.

After some key figures in its leadership left the group Brantuk took over its leadership for several years and was responsible for keeping the group together and bringing in a number of noted speakers on the subjects of firearms, self defense and political advocacy as well as pro-self defense candidates during election seasons.

[edit] Family

John Brantuk and his wife Gayle reside in Buena Park, California. He has two adult children from his first marriage, Jaclyn, a successful clothing and fashion designer, and John Jr., a 1st lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

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