The civil war within the Republican party arrived at the edge of the Tri-Counties, when recently re-elected U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, said he would oppose the certification of Joe Biden as president-elect.

“I do believe there is enough evidence of compromised processes and breakdowns in election integrity by certain state legislatures that do in fact warrant a closer examination,” Garcia said in a statement made shortly before the Business Times went to press on Jan 6.

Garcia represents a sliver of East Ventura County, including most of Simi Valley. His motives are obvious; he is following Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, in hopes of advancing his political career.

But at what cost?

Respect for the rule of law has motivated principled conservatives like U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, formerly of Thousand Oaks, to reject the idea of overturning the election. Garcia, a decorated veteran and Naval Academy alum, ignored the advice of the 10 living former Secretaries of Defense, who urged Congress to uphold the election as free and fair.

Garcia should stand aside from this sham and go to work for the voters of the 25th District.