Kildee Assistant Seeks to Succeed Supervisor

Kathy Long, Ventura County Supervisor Maggie Kildee’s chief of staff, announced Friday that she will run for her boss’s job in the March, 1996, election.

“Improving the economic vitality of our region is a top priority,” Long said in announcing her candidacy. “My vision is to support our existing business base and provide opportunities for expansion.”

Long, 44, is the fourth candidate to enter the race in the 3rd Supervisorial District, which stretches from Fillmore to Camarillo. Kildee announced recently that she would not seek reelection.

Other candidates are Fillmore City Councilman Roger Campbell, Camarillo Mayor Michael Morgan and Al Escoto, another Kildee aide.

Long, a Camarillo resident, previously served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Camarillo Child Care Advisory Council.

One of Long’s primary administrative responsibilities under Kildee has been to manage the Council on Economic Vitality, a group of public and private officials seeking to improve the local economy.

Although she has no plans to endorse any candidate at this time, Kildee said she was pleased that Long had joined the race.

“I think it’s great to see more good people out running,” Kildee said. “Kathy is definitely capable and well-qualified.”