Councilman Intends to Run for Mayor

City Councilman Patrick Hunter announced Friday that he will run for mayor in November.

Mayor Paul Lawrason said early this month that he will not seek another term, and Hunter, after discussing the possibility with his wife, said he decided to make a run for the position.

“I feel even stronger about this than I did when I first ran for council,” he said.

Hunter said that now he can run on a record that shows his commitment to “controlled, carefully managed growth,” public safety and reducing truck traffic through the city.

“I think I’m well situated to run in November,” he said.

Elected in 1990, Hunter, 35, is a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy. He said he would not be surprised if the other three council members also run for the position.

“They’re the most likely candidates,” he said.

Councilman Bernardo Perez said he was considering the position, and Councilwoman Eloise Brown said she has been approached by supporters, but was not terribly interested in running for the post. Councilman John Wozniak has not expressed any interest in running.

School board member Clint Harper has also been brought up as a possible candidate. Harper, who served on the City Council in the late 1980s, said he was not sure whether he would run or remain on the school board.

The only other candidate to announce that he was running for mayor is former Moorpark Planning Commissioner Mike Wesner.

Wesner announced his intentions the day that Lawrason, a close friend, announced he would not seek reelection.

Wesner, who was runner-up in March’s special City Council election, said he plans to be an advocate for business and modest growth in the city.