Larkin Announces Assembly Campaign

Less government and less taxes.

That’s the campaign theme of Ventura County Republican Party Chairman Bob Larkin, who officially announced his candidacy Wednesday for a state Assembly seat representing Simi Valley, Fillmore and portions of the San Fernando Valley.

Larkin, a State Farm insurance agent, is vying for a seat now held by Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills). Boland must give up her seat because of term limits.

If elected, Larkin, 58, said one of his top priorities would be to further reduce regulations on business. To do this, he said, he would push for a mandated financial analysis of every new regulation proposed.

“The business climate is the most important thing. Everything revolves around it--jobs and tax” revenues, he said.

Larkin, a Simi Valley resident, was joined at a press conference by several supporters, including Simi Valley Councilman Paul Miller and former Ventura County Supervisor Vicky Howard, who will chair Larkin’s campaign committee.

Although Larkin is the only candidate to formally enter the race so far, at least two others said Thursday that they have already registered with the Secretary of State’s office to set up campaign committees. They include Scott Wilk, Boland’s chief of staff, and Steve Frank, a government relations consultant in Simi Valley.