MOORPARK : Mayor Opts Out of Supervisorial Race

After consulting with family, friends and supporters over the weekend, Moorpark Mayor Paul Lawrason said Monday that he has decided not to seek Vicky Howard’s seat on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

“I am interested. But right at this time, it’s not going to work for me for a variety of reasons,” Lawrason said, ending speculation that he would become the fourth candidate in the race for the supervisorial seat.

Beyond the added stress and time commitment such a campaign would impose on his family and himself, Lawrason said he was concerned that he would be entering the field of candidates late and be forced to raise a substantial amount of money to run a viable campaign.

Lawrason weeks ago announced his plans to seek another term as Moorpark mayor, and said Monday that he will keep those plans.

Heartened by Lawrason’s decision not to seek county office was council colleague Scott Montgomery, who last week announced his intention to run for Howard’s seat.

“I think it’s good for Moorpark if we have just one candidate,” Montgomery said. “I felt that if Paul ran, he and I would have split Moorpark and that would ensure that we would both lose.”

Simi Valley council members Barbara Williamson and Judy Mikels have also announced plans to compete for Howard’s 4th District seat. Howard, who represents the areas in and around Simi Valley and Moorpark, said last week that she will not seek reelection.