A California attorney is seeking records from the state company that rejected SpaceX’s bid

A California lawmaker is seeking answers from a state commission after it rejected SpaceX’s request to launch multiple rockets at a military installation in the state.

California Republican state attorney Bill Essayli has filed a public records request asking the California Coastal Commission (CCC) for communications records related to SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk.

In an interview with FOX Business, Essayli alleged that the CCC decision was politically motivated against Musk.

“I was very surprised that they turned down SpaceX’s request. I mean, I think that anyone who looks objectively at the progress that SpaceX is making in the space industry, it has been exemplary and exceeded expectations,” Essayli said. “But when we heard the comments of the commissioner, it became clear what the real reason was.”

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The agency debated last week the Defense Department’s proposal to increase the number of SpaceX rockets at Vandenberg Space Force Base from 36 to 50.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk speaks during a joint T-Mobile and SpaceX event in Boca Chica Beach, Texas. (Photos by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images)

At the hearing, the agency, which oversees land and water use along California’s more than 1,000 miles of coastline, said SpaceX’s commercial launch is not a federal government activity and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of the coastal permitting commission.

Essayli said the agency’s decision to reject the request, “puts the US in a weaker position than its competitors around the world and makes America weaker, less powerful.”

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“[It] it is very clear from the comments made by the commissioners that the reason for denying the request was because of Elon Musk’s comments and participation in the political process. They don’t like his politics. They made that clear,” Essayli said. “And in America we have something called the First Amendment.”

On Tuesday, SpaceX filed a lawsuit against the agency, accusing it of political bias in preventing the company from launching more rockets. The lawsuit alleges that the CCC improperly asserted regulatory authority over SpaceX’s launch because members disagreed with Musk’s views.

The lawsuit cites Commissioner Gretchen Newsom as saying Musk was “hopping around the country, spewing and writing political lies and attacking FEMA while claiming his desire to help hurricane victims with free Starlink internet access.”

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Essayli alleged that the commission’s decision hinders development in the space industry and ultimately hurts California’s economy.

“It’s a no-brainer. First of all, this brings jobs to California. It brings money to California … and it helps our state,” Essayli said. “There is no good reason why the Coastal Commission would have rejected this request other than because they don’t like Elon Musk and his political views.”

SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster arrives during the fifth test flight of the SpaceX Starship, in Boca Chica, Texas, on Sunday. (Reuters Photos/Kaylee Greenlee Beal / Reuters)

FOX Business has reached out to the CCC twice for comment on the lawsuit, as well as Essayli’s public records request.

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The agency declined to comment on the case. The agency has not responded to FOX Business’ request for comment on Essay’s public records request.

Earlier this week, SpaceX launched four launches in three states, including one where the first stage booster flew back to the launch site.