# Randy Voepel

Randy Greg Voepel (born September 21, 1950) is an American politician. He served in the city government of Santee, California, and in the California State Assembly from the 71st district. He was the vice-chair of the Veterans Affairs, Aging & Long-Term Care, and Public Employment & Retirement committees and a member of the Insurance, Local Government, and Joint Legislative Audit committees. Voepel lost his reelection bid in the 2022 California State Assembly election, with his term ending on December 6, 2022.

## Early life

On September 21, 1950, Voepel was born in Saint Charles, Missouri. In August 1969, Voepel enlisted in the United States Navy. During the Vietnam War, Voepel served on the USS Buchanan, a guided-missile destroyer. Voepel received the Combat Action Ribbon and military awards.

## Career

In 1996, Voepel became a member of the Santee City Council. In 2000, Voepel became the Mayor of Santee until 2016.
On November 8, 2016, Voepel won the election and became a Republican member of California State Assembly for District 71, encompassing most of inland San Diego County and part of Riverside County.
In 2022, redistricting would have placed him into a new district with another member of the state Assembly, Marie Waldron, but Voepel lost by a wide margin.

### Comments on January 6th

Following the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Voepel said, "This is Lexington and Concord. First shots fired against tyranny. Tyranny will follow in the aftermath of the Biden swear-in on January 20th."

## Electoral history
### 2020 California State Assembly

California's 71st State Assembly district election, 2020 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 77,069 | 61.1 |
| | Democratic | Liz "Elizabeth" Lavertu | 49,073 | 38.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 126,142 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 136,156 | 59.6 |
| | Democratic | Liz "Elizabeth" Lavertu | 92,385 | 40.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 228,541 | 100.0 |

### 2018 California State Assembly

California's 71st State Assembly district election, 2018 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 41,561 | 43.6 |
| | Democratic | James Elia | 30,672 | 32.2 |
| | Republican | Larry A. Wilske | 23,106 | 24.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 95,339 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Randy Voepel (incumbent) | 100,386 | 60.6 |
| | Democratic | James Elia | 65,194 | 39.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 165,580 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016 California State Assembly

California's 71st State Assembly district election, 2016 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Randy Voepel | 51,857 | 59.9 |
| | Republican | Leo Hamel | 23,990 | 27.7 |
| | Republican | Tony Teora | 10,770 | 12.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 86,617 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Randy Voepel | 108,049 | 65.8 |
| | Republican | Leo Hamel | 56,184 | 34.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 164,233 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Awards

* Combat Action Ribbon
* Vietnam Cross Gallantry

## Personal life

Voepel was formerly married to Pamela Palmer. He is now married to Susan. He has two adult children. His grandson perpetrated the 2022 Colorado Springs nightclub shooting. His former son-in-law was Aaron Brink, a mixed martial arts fighter and pornographic film actor. Voepel and his wife live in Santee, California.