Union, Democrats Cheer Perez Ferguson, Sweeney : Politics: The former rivals are the leading unity symbols at breakfast meeting. Speakers call for grass-roots campaign efforts.

With the Democratic National Convention about to begin and the political season in full swing, Ventura County Democrats and union officials got together for a unity breakfast Friday morning.

Anita Perez Ferguson and Kevin Sweeney--recent fierce rivals in the Democratic primary for a congressional seat--were clearly the leading unity symbols. Both received standing ovations from more than 60 people gathered at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers hall on Main Street in Ventura.

During the 23rd Congressional District primary race, Sweeney, 33, of Ventura, promised that if he lost, he would support Perez Ferguson in the general election.

Perez Ferguson, 43, of Oxnard, went on to win convincingly. She faces three-term incumbent Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) in the race for the House seat that covers most of Ventura County.

On Friday, Sweeney kept his word . . . and his sense of humor.

Provoking a loud laugh from an audience dominated by union officials who support Perez Ferguson, Sweeney declared: “The people have spoken--the bastards.”

As for Perez Ferguson, he said: “She will be a very good member of Congress. She brings a richness of experience, a richness of her background. It’s important to have that in the Congress.”

And, on a poignant note, Sweeney reflected briefly on his first try for public office.

“It hurts to lose,” he said.

Even though many of those attending the breakfast probably didn’t vote for Sweeney, he won their hearts.

“You are to be admired,” Ventura County Supervisor John Flynn, the breakfast’s master of ceremonies, said after the ovation for Sweeney.

“He kept his word and, by God, I respect a guy for that,” Richard Bromser, the electrical workers union’s business manager, said after the breakfast. “He’s sincere. I think that speaks well for him.”

Perez Ferguson and others underscored the idea that for local Democrats to win in November, dedicated grass-roots volunteer campaigns would need to be mounted, including door-to-door efforts to register voters.

“No halfway, halfhearted, half-you-know-what effort,” Perez Ferguson said, eschewing a microphone and using rousing campaign-style oratory.

“It’s going to take a lot of work,” she said.

Echoing that thought were other speakers, including Roz McGrath of Camarillo, a candidate for the 37th Assembly District seat, and Henry Starr of Bell Canyon, running for the 19th state Senate District seat.

“This is the year of the woman,” McGrath said.

Later, Perez Ferguson said she expected to address the Democratic convention next week on the importance of electing female candidates.

She also acknowledged that it would be tough raising campaign cash and that she expected to be far outspent by her 48-year-old Republican opponent, Gallegly.

“So I’m relying more on volunteers and a grass-roots effort,” she said.

On that note, union activist Vince Ruiz of Ventura told the breakfast that he would spearhead an effort in Ventura County to register voters.

“The working districts will make a difference,” he said. “We’re telling people, ‘That’s where the power is.’ ”