38% Turnout Predicted for Primaries Countywide

With a full slate of county, state and federal contests and the first ever “blanket” primary in state history, Ventura County officials are predicting about a 38% voter turnout in Tuesday’s election.

“You can’t go wrong predicting low,” quipped Bruce Bradley, the county’s elections chief. “I hate to sound pessimistic, but it’s borne out by the facts.”

Bradley’s prediction is based largely on past gubernatorial primaries and on the number of absentee ballots requested for Tuesday’s election.

He said he does not expect the new primary system--which allows voters to cast ballots for a Democrat in one race and a Republican in another--to change a long-standing pattern of voter apathy.

“I don’t think people who are not interested in elections even know” about the change, Bradley said. “For those who care about these things, it will add a new wrinkle, but I don’t think it will lure people to the polls.”

In addition to choosing nominees for Congress, governor and state Assembly, Ventura County voters will decide races for two county supervisorial seats, auditor-controller and assessor.

Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury is running unopposed, as are Treasurer-Tax Collector Hal Pittman and County Clerk Richard Dean. Chief Deputy Sheriff Bob Brooks is running unchallenged to replace retiring Sheriff Larry Carpenter.

The following is a roundup of county, state and federal elections that will appear on the county ballot.

County Supervisor Races

In the 2nd Supervisorial District, incumbent Frank Schillo is fighting to win reelection against challenger Vince Curtis to represent the district, which spans from Oak Park and Thousand Oaks into Port Hueneme.

A veteran politician who spent a decade on the Thousand Oaks City Council before winning a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 1994, Schillo believes he is best equipped to secure district residents their rightful share of the county budget. Schillo, a financial consultant, also wants to improve protection of the Tierra Rejada Valley greenbelt bordering the district, and vows to continue cutting bureaucracy.

A political neophyte who believes slowing growth should be the county’s top priority, Curtis vows to do everything legally possible to squash the 3,050-home Ahmanson Ranch development planned at the county line. Curtis, a property appraiser, also supports taking Port Hueneme out of the district and placing it in a neighboring district that includes most of Oxnard.

In the 4th Supervisorial District, which covers Simi Valley, Moorpark and Somis, Judy Mikels is running for reelection against Jon Palo.

A former Simi Valley planning commissioner and city councilwoman who is seeking a second term on the board, Mikels believes the best way to prevent overdevelopment is to protect the agricultural industry, the county’s prime economic engine. Mikels, who runs a small picture frame business out of her home, also advocates providing more services in the east county.

Another political first-timer, Palo chairs Simi Valley’s Save Our Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative drive, and he contends Mikels’ opposition to the issue highlights her refusal to address the wishes of the populace before catering to special interests. Palo, an industrial paint salesman, also advocates keeping California 118 through Las Posas Valley a two-lane road to discourage more development in the area.

Superintendent of Schools

Incumbent Charles Weis is hoping to fend off a challenge from Wayne Edmonds in what is believed to be only the second election since the county superintendent of schools position was created last century. The position has traditionally been handed down from outgoing superintendent to assistant, and incumbents have almost always run unopposed.

Weis, who was first appointed superintendent in 1993 after serving as second in command, believes the improvement of county schools in standardized tests during his tenure speaks for itself.

Edmonds, the personnel director for the Oxnard Union High School District, agrees with Weis on many issues, but contends that Weis has helped to divide the county Board of Education on numerous issues.

Superior Court Judge

Three attorneys are vying to fill the seat vacated by embattled jurist Robert Bradley, who has been suspended from the bench due to alcohol-related problems.

Cathleen Drury, a family law attorney, believes the bench is overloaded with former prosecutors and needs someone with a background in the complexities of divorce and custody cases.

Kevin J. McGee, an assistant district attorney, believes law enforcement is responsible for the county’s reputation as a safe haven, and that judges play an important role in keeping criminals off the streets.

Gary Windom, a deputy public defender and law professor, believes he has the broadest experience of the candidates, 10 years in civil law and 13 years as a deputy public defender. He also believes the bench has more than its share of prosecutors and needs more diversity.

County Assessor

Seven candidates are vying to replace retiring Assessor Glenn Gray in what many consider one of the most wide-open local races on Tuesday’s ballot. Because no candidate is likely to get a majority of votes, there will probably be a runoff in November to determine the next assessor.

The candidates include James Dodd, the current assessor’s tax specialist; Dan Goodwin, a former assessor’s office employee who now owns an appraisal business; Des Kester, a Los Angeles County assessor’s employee; Larry Matheney, an assistant county counsel; Greg Stratton, a software engineer and mayor of Simi Valley; Charles R. Taylor, an income tax consultant; and Roy Villa, a former assessor’s office employee who owns an appraisal business.

County Auditor-Controller

Incumbent Tom Mahon, a former Chevrolet dealer who has worked in the county auditor’s office for 27 years, is being challenged by businessman Stephen Maulhardt.

Mahon, who was appointed auditor in 1993 and was voted into office a year later, vows to continue working to ensure the county maintains a good bond rating.

Maulhardt, a former treasurer for USA Petroleum Co., wants to conduct more audits of county departments and modernize the county’s payroll system.

State Races

Republican Tom McClintock is running unopposed for reelection in Tuesday’s primary in the 38th Assembly District, which straddles the Simi and San Fernando valleys. He will face no challenge in November other than a write-in campaign launched last week by Democrat Jon M. Lauritzen.

Democrat Jack O’Connell is also running unchallenged for reelection from the 18th Senate District, which stretches from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties into western Ventura County. He will face Republican Gordon Klemm and Libertarian Jack Ray in November.

35th Assembly District

Two Democrats, three Republicans and one independent are vying to replace Republican Brooks Firestone, who is not seeking reelection. The independent, Natural Law candidate Eric Dahl of Goleta, will square off against the Democratic and Republican nominees in November. The district straddles Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and includes Ventura and Ojai.

Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson, a former Santa Barbara County prosecutor who practices family law in Ventura, believes California has done a poor job of investing in its future by inadequately funding education. She supports more efforts to track polluters and preserve open space.

Al Pizano of Santa Barbara, a district manager for Southern California Gas Co. and longtime Latino leader, believes state legislators need to be more involved in furthering trade along the Pacific Rim. He supports bilingual education programs and is opposed to further offshore drilling.

Republican Alan “Lanny” Ebenstein, a textbook author and Santa Barbara school board member helping to lead the charge against bilingual education, also advocates reducing class sizes in all grades. He supports a two-strikes policy for violent criminals and opposes offshore drilling.

David Lack, a Santa Barbara building contractor, believes his own entrepreneurial experience makes him a good advocate for small business owners. He vows to open a field office in Ventura.

Chris Mitchum, an actor, writer and producer following in the footsteps of his famous father, Robert Mitchum, said he is an old-school Republican committed to keeping taxes low and promoting a free-market economy.

37th Assembly District

Five Republicans are battling to replace Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard), who cannot seek reelection because of term limits. Takasugi’s district stretches from Thousand Oaks and Camarillo to Oxnard.

Democrat Roz McGrath, a schoolteacher, and Reform Party candidate Michael Farris, a scientist, will square off against the Republican winner in November.

John Patrick Lane, a private investigator and a former Los Angeles police officer, advocates cracking down on assault weapons and a back-to-basics approach to education.

Jere Robings, a longtime county taxpayer advocate and retired area manager for Southern California Edison, said he is best equipped to fight wasteful government spending in Sacramento.

Tony Strickland, a legislative director for Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R--Northridge), believes California levies too many taxes, prompting businesses to leave the state. He advocates abolishing the car registration tax and bilingual education.

Rich Sybert, an Oxnard toy company executive who recently made news after he was caught on videotape tearing down Strickland’s campaign signs, believes his experience in business and government still makes him the best candidate. He supports a two-strikes law for violent criminals.

Toni P. Young, a Port Hueneme councilwoman, supports giving more decision-making power to local school districts and creating a Southern California caucus to fight for regional issues.

Congressional Races

U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) is running unopposed in Tuesday’s primary for reelection to the 23rd Congressional District, which spans most of Ventura County, from Simi Valley to Ventura. He will face Democrat Daniel Gonzalez, a Simi Valley attorney, in November’s general election.

24th Congressional District

Three Republicans are vying for the right to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) in November. Sherman, whose district stretches from the Conejo Valley into the San Fernando Valley, faces no primary opponent.

Joe Gelman, a businessman and former newspaper columnist, considers himself a mainstream Republican and vows to seek a nationwide end to affirmative action in government programs.

Randy Hoffman, the former president of a company that makes satellite navigation systems, said he is committed to reducing violent crime and improving the quality of public schools.

William Westmiller, a small-business owner who co-founded the Libertarian Party of Canada after fleeing the draft in 1969, advocates a 15% flat tax to replace the federal income tax system.

* STATEWIDE RACES: B3-5