More Candidates Financing Own Races

A growing number of Ventura County political candidates are digging into their own pockets to finance their campaigns for some of the county’s top elected positions, including two supervisorial posts.

So far, attorney Trudi K. Loh, who is running for the supervisor’s seat being vacated by Maria VanderKolk, has poured $10,000 of her own money into the campaign, according to finance reports filed Tuesday. Loh reported total cash contributions of $14,475 received since Jan. 1.

Thousand Oaks Councilman Frank Schillo reported total cash contributions of $1,650, which included $1,281 of his own money. Malibu rancher Carter J. Ward loaned his campaign $1,445, while reporting no other campaign contributions.

Finance reports from former Ventura County Supervisor Madge L. Schaefer and taxpayer advocate H. Jere Robings, two other candidates, had not been received by the county elections office.

Meanwhile, Simi Valley Councilwoman Barbara Williamson, who is competing for the supervisor’s seat being vacated by Vicky Howard, reported raising $11,224, far outpacing two rivals who also filed finance reports.

Williamson received $1,800 from the Public Employees Assn. of Ventura County and $750 each from Bromley Foods of Calabasas, Westwood Financial Corp., AKAI Construction Co. and several developers.

Simi Valley Councilwoman Judy Mikels raised $3,362, while parks official James Meredith reported a personal loan of $1,430. A finance report for Moorpark City Councilman Scott Montgomery was not available.

Three of six candidates for county auditor-controller also filed reports that were available Tuesday. Incumbent controller Thomas O. Mahon led the way with $7,094 in contributions; accountant Scott Weiss was second with $4,684, including a $2,300 personal loan; and accountant William Baker was last with $4,401, all of which he loaned himself. Reports for Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton and accountants Clifford Wigen and Richard Morrisset were not immediately available.