Elton Gallegly U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (RThousand Oaks) has clinched his 12th term in California's 24th Congressional District, capturing 126,052 votes (58 percent).

Gallegly beat a once littleknown candidate, Democrat Marta Ann Jorgensen, who garnered 91,289 votes (42 percent).

"I've been doing this long enough to know you never ever take any race for granted," Gallegly said. "It's important to show the people who have supported you in the past and hopefully will support you in the future that you are committed to what you're doing."

Gallegly serves on four panels in the House of Representatives: the foreign affairs, judiciary, natural resources and intelligence committees.

He has one of the highest voting percentages in Congress, and he travels back to his Simi Valley home near the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library every weekend.

Gallegly, a former Simi Valley mayor, ran a small business for 20 years before he was elected to public office. Gallegly has said the economy is the No. 1 issue facing voters, as well as national security.

He also said bipartisanship is more important than ever this year.

"It's one thing to get elected and it's another thing to govern," Gallegly said. "It's important that no one be shut out of this debate. The challenges are great for both sides, and if there's ever a time for us to come together, it's now. When it comes to the economy and national security, we have to work together. That can be done very easily without compromising the basic values you believe in--the way you do that is to not let things get too personal. Agree to disagree without becoming disagreeable. We can do that."

Solvang resident Jorgensen was a surprise winner in the Democratic primary after she dropped out of the race for a period of several weeks.

The 24th District covers inland Santa Barbara County and most of Ventura County, including Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.