By one measure, he was found to be the third-most conservative member of Congress between 1937 and 2002,[1] and the ultraconservative John Birch Society, of which Schmitz was a longtime leader, later expelled him for extremist rhetoric.

[2] On October 25, 1971, Schmitz composed an introduction to the highly controversial book None Dare Call It Conspiracy written by Gary Allen with Larry Abraham.

[5] Schmitz died in 2001 at the age of 70 from prostate cancer; the former Marine Colonel was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

His views attracted the attention of wealthy Orange County conservatives such as fast-food magnate Carl Karcher, sporting goods heir Willard Voit and San Juan Capistrano rancher Tom Rogers.

Schmitz once joked that he had joined the John Birch Society in order to court the moderate vote in Orange County.

[11] Schmitz served in the state senate until 1970, when he won a special election to succeed the late James B. Utt in the House from California's 35th congressional district.

Schmitz was one of twenty-four people in the House of Representatives to oppose the Equal Rights Amendment and described the bipartisan Comprehensive Child Development Act as a "massive government intrusion".

Schmitz, who believed Nixon had shifted to the left in social and economic issues, served as chairman of John M. Ashbrook's 1972 campaign for the Republican Party presidential nomination.

[17] Three-time Academy Award winner and fellow John Birch Society member Walter Brennan helped Schmitz with his campaign, serving as finance chairman.

He received 9.30 percent of the vote in Idaho,[19] where he finished second ahead of Democrat George McGovern in the archconservative Mormon counties of Fremont, Jefferson, Madison and Lemhi.

[27]Schmitz won the District 36 state senate seat in 1978, with 49.5% of the vote, and subsequently was named chairman of the Constitutional Amendments Committee.

Feminist attorney Gloria Allred testified at the hearing in support of the pro-abortion rights position, and afterward sarcastically presented Schmitz with a black leather chastity belt.

Early in 1982, John George Stuckle, an infant born on June 10, 1981, was treated at an Orange County hospital for an injured penis.

However, the baby's mother, Carla Stuckle, a 43-year-old Swedish-born immigrant and longtime Republican volunteer, was not allowed to take John George home since some of the attending doctors were convinced the hair had been deliberately tied around his penis.

Before entering television, Mary had already become known as the "West Coast Phyllis Schlafly", having campaigned vigorously against the Equal Rights Amendment.

[32][33] After leaving the State Senate, Schmitz taught political science courses at Rancho Santiago and Santa Ana.

[35] Following a packed funeral service at the Fort Myer post chapel, he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

"[37] By wife Mary:[4] Children by Carla Stuckle: California's 35th congressional district special election, 1970 Note: All candidates ran in the same primary.