Political Career
In 1984, he was elected to the city council of Palmdale, California, and four years later became the city's first elected mayor. Along with becoming the fastest man in the world when he flew the X-15, he was also the Mayor of Palmdale when it was the fastest growing city in both California and the United States. In 1992, he was elected to serve in the California State Assembly representing the 36th District. He served in the State Senate representing the 17th District from 1996 until his death on May 7, 2004. Knight's youngest son, Steve Knight is the Assemblyman for the 36th Assembly District, the seat previously held by his father.
Read more about this topic: William J. Knight
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