1st Race for Elected Officials Is to File

Many of the county’s top elected officials aren’t expected to face opposition in their reelection campaigns this spring. But that didn’t stop them from showing up Monday to take out candidacy papers on the very first day of the filing period.

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) started the day’s paper-pushing by taking out reelection papers at the start of business Monday in the county’s elections office.

Gallegly was followed by other top officials, including Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury, who is seeking a sixth consecutive term, and Chief Deputy Sheriff Bob Brooks, who hopes to replace retiring Sheriff Larry Carpenter.

Four other elected bureaucrats accompanied Brooks as a group in what has become an election-year tradition: County Clerk Richard D. Dean, county schools Supt. Charles Weis, Auditor-Controller Thomas Mahon and Tax Collector Harold Pittman.

After battling traffic in the Ojai Valley, Bradbury, who had intended to join the others, arrived later Monday morning.

Notably absent from the roundup was Assessor Glenn Gray, fueling speculation in county government circles that he will not run for another term. Gray did not return phone calls Monday.

“Because he didn’t do it today, we’re all kind of assuming he’s not running,” Mahon said Monday.

Mahon could wind up being one of the few county government officials facing a challenge in the June 2 election. Candidates have through March 6 to file.

Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton said Monday he is pondering a run for either auditor-controller or assessor.

Stratton was declared ineligible for the auditor’s job during an earlier shot at the position because he lacked the necessary educational background, but the state requirements have since been changed. He said he would be more likely to run for assessor if Gray does not run.

“I would consider that, because I would not have to run against an incumbent,” Stratton said of the assessor’s post. “That’s always easier.”

Another possible candidate for auditor is Camarillo businessman Stephen Maulhardt.

Mahon, elected to the post in 1994 after being appointed a year earlier, believes his record in maintaining the county’s credit rating and coming up with improved information systems is beyond reproach.

“I’ll put it this way: The results of the office clearly indicate that I and my staff have done an excellent job protecting this county,” Mahon said. “This is not Orange County.”

In the political arena, an aide to Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Judy Mikels took out the supervisor’s reelection papers Monday. Mikels could be running unopposed in her district, which includes Simi Valley and Moorpark.

But Supervisor Frank Schillo, also facing reelection, is expected to face a challenge from Oak Park resident Vince Curtis.

Schillo, who did not draw papers Monday, has pledged not to accept political contributions of more than $100 during the campaign. He said he has learned from his Thousand Oaks-area constituents following the unsuccessful recall of Councilwoman Elois Zeanah that they are sick and tired of expensive political races.

That will make it harder for him to get his political message out, Schillo said, but he believes voters will respect him for it.

“I think it’s really important that politicians listen to the public,” Schillo said. “Here in Thousand Oaks, we just went through a brutal recall campaign where they spent a lot of money, and people resented that. From walking precincts, this is something that people care about.”

Correspondent Coll Metcalfe contributed to this story.