Mayor Says He Will Seek Reelection

Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez announced Thursday that he will run for reelection in November.

Lopez’s announcement came a week after a local weekly newspaper printed an article wrongly listing another Oxnard politician as the city’s mayor.

“I am still here and plan to stay here,” Lopez said of his intentions to seek a third two-year term.

“My political obituary was a bit premature.”

An article published last week in the Ventura County and Coast Reporter listed Oxnard City Councilman Andres Herrera as the city’s mayor. Herrera is Oxnard’s mayor pro tem, which is the same as vice mayor.

Lopez said he kicked off his campaign early to reassure supporters who called his home and wrote letters expressing concern. Unlike most Ventura County cities, where the mayor is appointed by other council members, Oxnard’s mayor runs in the general election.

During his speech, Lopez, 68, pledged to promote cooperation between Ventura and Oxnard, which have locked horns over plans for a regional mall. He also said he would support the creation of more youth and family programs to help counter the city’s deadly gang violence.

On the City Council for the past 18 years, Lopez is popular among Oxnard residents, despite often being on the minority end of 4-1 votes. Lopez was the only member to vote against a much-criticized council move to abolish the city Planning Commission and replace it with a panel of Land Use Advisors and a hearing officer.

So far, Lopez, an Oxnard native who owns a private optometry practice, faces no opposition. Herrera and City Councilman Tom Holden--both rumored to have eyed Lopez’s job--said Thursday they have not made a decision whether to run.

“I think that when you are in a position such as mine, [running for mayor] is something that you consider, but there are a lot of considerations that need to be made,” Holden said.

Lopez said he is prepared to face tough competition, but within reason.

“If Clint Eastwood came in, I would probably fold my tent,” he said.