Ventura County Prosecutors Endorse Totten

The Ventura County Prosecutors’ Assn. has thrown its support behind Greg Totten in the race for district attorney, providing a key endorsement from those who will work closest with the winner of the March 5 election.

Having to choose between two of their own, the association announced Monday that Totten, the 47-year-old chief assistant district attorney, was their choice over senior prosecutor Ron Bamieh, 36, in a race that has been both costly and bitter.

The decision was based largely on Totten’s tenure in the office and his leadership as chief aide for the last three years to retiring Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury, the association said.

“His performance as second-in-command to the district attorney and his familiarity with the office will enable him to bring a sense of continuity that our members feel is essential,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Ian Morse, spokesman for the association of about 100 prosecutors.

“Further, Mr. Totten will bring a keen sense of justice and a strong dedication to the people of Ventura County that make him the right person for the job,” he said.

Totten has now garnered support from Bradbury, Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks, several police unions and every police chief in the county.

He said he was particularly pleased to win the endorsement of the association, since it comes from those in the best position to know who is the most qualified to be Ventura County’s next district attorney.

“The confidence of my colleagues in my ability to lead this office in the 21st century is deeply appreciated,” Totten said. “These are the people I’ve worked with now for 20 years, and the fact that they have confidence in me is very important to me personally, irrespective of the campaign.”

The race--the first contested election for the post since 1978--has created tension in the district attorney’s office.

Rumors have swirled about who may be hired and fired, and Bradbury months ago issued a memo reminding employees that campaigning for the candidates was prohibited during work hours.

With loyalties split between the two candidates, the two men squared off in December in a closed-door debate sponsored by the prosecutors association.

The group’s members were allowed to hear from both candidates before voting on who should receive the endorsement.

Association representatives would not reveal the outcome of the vote, which was tallied by an outside law firm.

But Bamieh said he was told it was very close. And he said he thinks many in the office had a tough time deciding.

“I won’t tarnish the endorsement at all,” said Bamieh, who counts among his principal supporters the Simi Valley Police Officers Assn. and former state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley).

“I respect them all,” he said. “They struggled with it and did the best they could.”