GOP Committee Votes to Keep Larkin

Ventura County’s Republican Central Committee has voted down a motion by one its members to oust Chairman Bob Larkin because of allegations that his candidacy for the state Assembly represents a conflict of interest.

The committee voted 24 to 2 on Wednesday night against the motion calling for Larkin, a Simi Valley resident, to resign the post he has held since 1993.

“I think it was a good opportunity for us to show how much we appreciate what he’s done for the last two years,” treasurer Peggy Sadler said. “He didn’t want to go out under a cloud or feel like he was being forced out.”

Larkin said he appreciated the vote of confidence and that he plans to voluntarily step down May 24.

Matt Noah, a Central Committee member, called for his resignation because he said Larkin’s Assembly candidacy was in direct conflict with his committee post. Noah said Larkin has access to information and potential campaign donors that other candidates don’t.

But Larkin dismissed the accusations, saying that Noah is part of a group of social conservatives that wants to wrest control of the party organization to advance its anti-abortion agenda.

Larkin announced his candidacy in March for the state Assembly seat held by Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills), who is prohibited from seeking reelection because of legislative term limits. The 38th Assembly District includes Simi Valley and Fillmore and portions of the northwest San Fernando Valley.

Larkin said he had always planned to resign his committee post. He said he just wanted to stay on long enough to oversee a large fund-raising dinner this week that brought in more than $8,000 for the local GOP.