Peter Hankwitz for Congress

Peter on the Issues... [Listed alphabetically by topic. Click here to read Peter's bio]

Border Security: Protecting the homeland must begin by protecting our borders. Congress' first priority should be to secure our borders and stop those who would break our laws.

Education: Our children deserve the full support of government at all levels. Local school administrators and teachers must be held accountable to the fact that we're educating the next generation for America, and science and engineering are two primary areas where our country needs to be more competitive worldwide.

Gay Marriage: The New Jersey Supreme Court got it right: it ruled not purely on the question of gay “marriage,” but on the equal protections under the law—a fundamental guarantee of 14th Amendment of our Constitution. If we who are in committed same-sex relationships woke up tomorrow to discover that we were equally protected under the law, we may still be disappointed that we could not call ourselves “married,” but at least we would have equal protections.

Health Care and Science: View Peter's responses to the Research!America and the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation's "2006 Your Candidates–Your Health" survey - a new voter education initiative. [ click here to review ]

Iraq: My position on the Iraq War is quite simple: I hate it. Almost 3,000 Americans have died and thousands of other Americans have been wounded. As your congressman, I will not participate in partisan political battles over “why” we went to Iraq, rather I will focus my time on legislation that helps to get our brave men and women home safely and quickly, without compromising our national security. Until then we must be unwavering in our support for our troops, and give them every tool they need to do their jobs.

Immigration: I am opposed to amnesty for illegal aliens. Congress needs to enact comprehensive legislation that will identify and assimilate all residents into American society in a way that shows compassion and respect for our laws.

International Trade: People around the world dream of coming to America to make a better life for themselves. By encouraging economic growth through trade with the developing world, we can lift all boats.

Stem Cell Research: I support the use of stem cells to discover cures for fatal diseases. As the Co-Chair of the new Robert Urich Foundation for Cancer Research and Patient Care, and one who has lost too many friends and family members to cancer and other debilitating diseases, this is a very personal issue for me.

Transportation: Transportation planners need to balance the needs of those who use the region's freeways and those who live near them—not choose between them.

Public Transit: The Valley needs a network of light rail and rapid bus lines to connect its housing and employment centers. This means expanding the Orange Line to Burbank Airport and adding light-rail along the 405 to connect the Valley to West Los Angeles and LAX.

Woman’s Right to Choose: I support a woman’s right to choose. While always endeavoring to support life, I believe individuals have a fundamental right to choose what is best for their lives—and “pro-choice” does not mean pro-abortion. The federal government’s role in this issue is to value life, respect and protect privacy, honor spiritual and secular diversity, and to foster the personal responsibility of all Americans.

About Peter Hankwitz [Download short PDF version of Peter's bio here]

Peter Hankwitz is the Republican nominee for California’s 27th Congressional District: the San Fernando Valley.

Hankwitz is committed to securing the Valley’s fair share of federal dollars to fund critically needed projects and initiatives in the 27th District. Just as Valley residents stood up to City Hall in 2002, Peter Hankwitz wants to take the fight for the rights and interests of the Valley to Capitol Hill.

In 2001 Karl Rove and Sacramento politicians redrew the 27th District and installed a Washington politician as the new congressman in the San Fernando Valley. Since that time, the Valley has sent millions of tax dollars to Washington and gotten little in return. Peter Hankwitz will be a fierce, tireless advocate for getting the Valley its fair share.

For twenty years Hankwitz has worked at the highest levels of the entertainment industry, representing the personal and business interests of some of the best known actors in Hollywood. In the 1980’s he worked with former First Lady Nancy Reagan on a national campaign to fight drug abuse. He has been recognized by the City of Los Angeles for his efforts to end gang violence, and serves as a University volunteer and lecturer.

Hankwitz is currently a member of both the Next Generation Council of the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and is also honored to serve alongside Mrs. Heather Menzies-Urich as the National Co-Chair of the Robert Urich Foundation for Cancer Research and Patient Care. Hankwitz lives in Northridge with his partner, Julian Trevino.

More about Peter Hankwitz

Peter Hankwitz was born September 11, 1968, on Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, California, where his father, David Hankwitz was stationed to work on the top secret Lockheed SR-71 program. After spending his youth on the Oregon coast, Peter attended Henley High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon, participating in Student Government and the Oregon Young Republicans during President Ronald Reagan's campaign for re-election in 1984.

While at Henley, Peter also attended classes at the Oregon Institute of Technology, where he majored in creative writing. He was accepted by the University of Southern California. However, upon graduation from high school, he chose instead to get an early start at pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. His decision afforded him the opportunity to spend nearly 20 years as a representative.

Early Career

In 1987, Hankwitz served as assistant production coordinator for a series of 'Just Say No To Drugs' Public Service Announcements featuring First Lady Nancy Reagan, as well as Clint Eastwood, Bette Midler, James Woods, Olivia Newton-John and Dudley Moore. These spots were directed by Mark Rydell and produced for The Motion Picture Association of America by Jack Valenti, former Special Assistant to President Lyndon Johnson.

Following the production of the 'Just Say No' PSAs, Peter spent three years as a casting coordinator with Diane Dimeo-McLean on such television shows as "Pee-wee's Playhouse," "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" and NBC's "A Family for Joe," starring Robert Mitchum, Juliette Lewis and Ben Savage.

Representing Others

Hankwitz ventured into to the field of talent management in 1988 when he joined Michael McLean & Associates. For nearly a decade, he helped to further develop the careers of Nicole Kidman, Peta Wilson, Simon Baker Denny, Peter MacNicol, Jack Thompson and Naomi Watts.

In 1994, Hankwitz co-founded an advertising and marketing firm and developed campaigns and strategies for The Geffen Playhouse, Walt Disney, MTV, Mutato Musika, and RKO Pictures. In 1996, he received the Worldfest Houston Silver Award, and shaped a marketing campaign that led to increased public and subscriber awareness of the American Cinematheque film society. This campaign supported the multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts for the acquisition and renovation of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

Entreprenuer and Business Owner

Today, under the banner of Peter Hankwitz Production & Management (php&m), Peter has served as producer of the television special "Russell Simmons Presents Hip Hop Justice" and as co-executive producer of "The Hittites." This feature-length docudrama about the ancient Hittite civilization in Turkey was narrated by Academy Award^® winner Jeremy Irons. Hankwitz also represents, among others, Josh Hancock, creator and star of the television series "Shifting Gears," and Emmy^® Award-winning television production company Digital Ranch, which produces Sgt. R. Lee Ermey's "Mail Call" - the #1 half-hour series on the History Channel since 2002. Additionally, Hankwitz continues a professional relationship with the actors who portrayed the von Trapp children in the "Sound of Music".

Inspired by children he met while serving on the volunteer educational staff of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library from 2003-2005, Peter and his mentor, Dick Sheehan, developed an entertaining and educational grassroots program for kids designed to highlight the history and splendor of the American Presidency. These efforts entailed the cooperation and support of many of the Presidential Libraries in the National Archives and Records Administration, most notably the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, and the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Awards and Recognitions

Peter was recognized by the City of Los Angeles for his efforts to end gang violence. He has conducted numerous seminars and lectures on communications and leadership for professional, academic and public organizations in California, including: Pepperdine University; UCLA; University of Southern California; University of Laverne; and Thoreau High School. He is currently a member of both the Next Generation Council of the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Hankwitz is also honored to serve alongside Heather Menzies-Urich as the National Co-Chair of the Robert Urich Foundation for Cancer Research and Patient Care. Peter lives with Julian Trevino, his domestic partner since 1997, in Northridge, California.