ELECTIONS: SUPERVISORS : Howard Builds Slim Lead in 4th District

After a bitter campaign that literally pitted neighbor against neighbor, Vicky Howard took a slim early lead Tuesday night over aggressive challenger Bill Davis in the 4th District supervisorial race.

Howard, 55, outpolled fellow Simi Valley council member and next-door neighbor Davis in the early returns after a race characterized by personal attacks and charges of unethical campaigning by both sides.

Howard, who spent the evening at home with friends and family, was cautiously optimistic about her lead.

“We’re not there yet, but we’re certainly going in the right direction,” she said. “The lead is so small I wouldn’t have any confidence in the numbers right now.”

Davis said he was confident that he was going to win despite the early returns, “but it’s going to be very close. . . . It comes down to the kind of campaign voters want to see.”

Howard and Davis ran tough, bitter campaigns in their struggle to replace retiring incumbent Jim Dougherty as supervisor for the 4th District, which includes Simi Valley, Moorpark, Somis and the Santa Clara Valley.

Throughout the campaign, Howard emphasized her extensive government experience. In addition to her eight years on the City Council, Howard has served four years on the County Transportation Commission and two years on the Local Agency Formation Commission.

Davis has served four years on the City Council and one year on the Planning Commission.

Howard and Davis emerged from a field of five candidates in the June primary to qualify for a runoff, with Howard collecting 39.6% of the vote to Davis’ 25.4%.

In the months that followed, Davis campaigned vigorously to close the gap, raising nearly $13,000 more in contributions than Howard and hiring a political consultant to boost his campaign. According to campaign financial statements, Davis raised $88,112 since January and spent $89,409 in the race. Howard raised $77,169 and spent $76,150.

For the most part, the two candidates agreed on the issues. Both opposed the proposed merger of Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric Co., and both backed a proposal for Simi Valley to annex property owned by entertainer Bob Hope.

Both have said they are moderate on growth and both have accepted large contributions from developers.

Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton said the primary difference between the two is Howard’s conservative philosophy. He said if push came to shove, Davis would be more likely to raise taxes, but Howard would cut services.

With little difference on the issues, the candidates focused most of their time and energy questioning each other’s ethics and qualifications for the job.

Davis, a Democrat, and Howard, a Republican, accused each other of misleading voters by distributing or allowing the distribution of campaign mailers that were specifically addressed to voters whose party affiliations were different than their own. The mailers failed to mention the candidates’ party affiliations. Both denied any wrongdoing.

Howard also criticized Davis for initially refusing to authorize release of his service record as a Culver City police officer more than 40 years ago.

Davis said his personnel record was his own business. He said he served as a police officer for seven months in 1950 but resigned after witnessing the death of a young boy hit by a car.

Davis said Howard had known the story for years and was outraged by her attempt to cast doubts on his credibility. Just days before the election, Davis announced that he would authorize release of his police record, but Howard decided not to pursue the issue after Culver City officials said they do not keep personnel records for more than 25 years.

Howard, who was endorsed by Ventura County Sheriff John V. Gillespie and Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury, denied knowing the reason why Davis quit the Police Department.

Ironically, it was Howard who lured Davis into politics 10 years ago, encouraging him to join a neighborhood council group.

In 1985, Howard recommended Davis for a seat on the city’s Planning Commission and a year later supported his appointment to the City Council.

Times staff writer Christopher Reynolds contributed to this story. Karen McKean also reported.