Green Party Backs McGrath, O’Connell

The Ventura County chapter of the Green Party of California has endorsed two Ventura County Democrats for Assembly seats in the upcoming election, party officials said Monday.

The chapter endorsed schoolteacher and farm manager Roz McGrath for the newly created 37th District Assembly seat and incumbent Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) in the redrawn 35th Assembly District, which runs from Santa Barbara through Ventura, Santa Paula and Ojai.

McGrath is running against Oxnard Mayor Nao Takasugi, a Republican, in the district that stretches from Thousand Oaks to Oxnard.

“I am pleased to add the Greens to my wide base of support, which already includes everyone from liberal Democrats to conservative Republicans,” McGrath said in a statement.

A spokesman for O’Connell, who is running against Santa Barbara college instructor Lanny Ebenstein, said his candidate has support from “all over the spectrum.”

“This is another example of the broad base of support Jack receives,” said Gavin Payne, O’Connell’s campaign manager.

The Greens supported McGrath for her positions on issues of the environment, social justice and campaign finance reform, said Tom Stafford of the Green Party. The party supported O’Connell for his positions on the environment, social justice and animal rights. He said the Greens will publicize the endorsements to 2,500 members and supporters within the district.