Cathie Wright, 1929 – 2012

Former California State Senator Cathie Wright died this morning at 9 a.m. from complications of dementia at her home in Simi Valley, her daughter, who was at her side, told me earlier today. She was 82. I first met her a few years ago at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum during an event featuring comedian Dennis Miller. We hit it off and had planned to work together. Sadly, Mrs. Wright, who served Simi Valley, Ventura County and California in city council, state Assembly and state Senate, and had run against Gray Davis for lieutenant governor in 1994, became ill before we really got started, though we remained friends. She was a tough and independent legislator who, like me, was born in Pennsylvania and raised as a Roman Catholic, which she remained until the end. I will miss Cathie Wright. She was decent, honest and even-handed. Right now, I am thinking of her only child, Victoria Catherine, and her granddaughter, and those lucky enough to have known the indomitable Cathie Wright. May she rest in peace.

•