McClintock Takes Lead in Fund-Raising for Senate Bid

Assemblyman Tom McClintock has taken an early fund-raising lead in his state Senate bid, having already amassed $267,000 for next spring’s primary, according to campaign finance reports released Monday.

The conservative Republican, whose Assembly district includes Simi Valley, got a big boost from a $100,000 loan from Camarillo religious radio broadcast mogul Edward Atsinger III, the lawmaker’s campaign staff said. McClintock is also able to enjoy a large war chest because of more than $104,000 he carried over from the last campaign cycle, according to records.

Meanwhile, an anticipated local political battle has ended before it began. Former Oxnard mayor and retired state Assembly member Nao Takasugi said Monday that he will not challenge longtime incumbent John Flynn, who has spent a quarter century on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

Takasugi, 77, who last year underwent quintuple heart bypass surgery, said he decided last week during a Lake Arrowhead family vacation not to run for the board.

“I went up to the mountaintop and contemplated my navel, and I made a decision to spend more time with my family,” Takasugi said. “And to do some things that I put off for all these many years.”

It was not a fear of losing that guided his decision, Takasugi said, but a fear of dying without getting to spend enough time with loved ones. “There’s not too much time left on my schedule here on Earth.”

Despite his health concerns, however, Takasugi has not dropped plans to join a competitive senior citizens’ tennis circuit. And he said he is considering campaigning next year for a less taxing post as a Port of Hueneme harbor commissioner.

Meanwhile, candidates for other offices have begun aggressively raising money for next year’s races, according to campaign contribution records made available Monday for the six-month fund-raising period that ended June 30.

McClintock capitalized on his reputation as an anti-tax crusader to build his war chest. His opponent in the Republican primary, county Supervisor Judy Mikels, a former Simi Valley councilwoman, has raised $80,000 in cash and loans with more than half a year to go before the March 7 election.

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Much of McClintock’s backing came from insurers, including Residence Mutual Insurance Co. and affiliates ($2,000), the American Insurance Assn. Political Action Committee ($500), 20th Century Insurance in Woodland Hills ($1,000), and Blue Cross of California ($800). Major contributors also include trash giant Browning-Ferris Industries ($6,500); Concerned Americans for Responsible Government ($2,500); and Edison International ($1,500). Former U.S. Senate candidate Darrell Issa of Vista also contributed $500.

McClintock’s largest contributor, Atsinger, has been influential in previous Republican contests. Last year, a political action group that Atsinger helped direct gave first-term Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) more than $80,000 in cash and loans.

Mikels’ backers include John Boething of Boething Nurseries in Woodland Hills, with a $25,000 loan; Boskovich Farms in Oxnard, $3,250; Firefighters for Better Government, $3,000; Gillibrand Co., Centex Homes and City Concrete Products, $2,500 each; L.C.B. and Associates in Las Mesa, $5,000; developer Knightsbridge Holdings Inc. in Somis, $3,000; Simi Starlight Ranch LLC in Los Angeles, $2,500; Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center, a Waste Management Inc. affiliate, $3,000; investor Isaac Moradi of Beverly Hills ($2,500); county Health Care Agency administrator Pierre Durand ($250); and retired Judge Joseph Wapner of Los Angeles ($250).

In the District 3 supervisor’s race, incumbent Kathy Long raised more than $27,000 for her reelection bid. Most contributors’ checks ranged from $100 to $600. Supporters include the county employees’ union Local 998 ($1,200); Waste Management Inc. in Sacramento ($600); Centex Homes in Valencia ($600); Washington Mutual Bank in Seattle ($600); Pardee Construction in Camarillo ($600); actor Larry Hagman ($150); and former Supervisor Maggie Kildee, whom Long succeeded ($150).

Long’s anticipated opponent, veteran Camarillo Councilman Mike Morgan--who challenged her for the post in 1996--said he expects to decide by the end of the month whether he will actually run again.

In the District 1 supervisorial race for the seat being vacated by Susan K. Lacey, former Ventura Councilman Steve Bennett, who led the push for the anti-growth Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiative, had raised about $25,000 by the end of June. He contributed $2,500 of that himself. Backers also include Patagonia Inc. co-owners Yvon and Malinda Chouinard ($500 each); the SEIU Local 998 ($500); actor Hagman ($250); and several retired educators.

Bennett’s anticipated opponent, current Ventura Councilman Jim Monahan, did not file a contribution report.

Strickland had raised about $90,000 for his reelection campaign, and after expenses he had about $40,000 left in the campaign chest, his chief of staff said Monday. A detailed report was not available.

Port Hueneme City Councilman Jon Sharkey, a Democrat hoping to unseat the freshman legislator, had raised about $14,000 by June 30. Most of that was a $10,000 loan he made to his campaign.

Financial reports for fellow Assembly newcomer Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) were not available Monday. Jackson’s district includes Ojai, Santa Paula and Ventura.

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Takasugi, a Republican supported by many developers, said he has but one regret about his decision--that Flynn, a Democrat who has held the seat for two decades, may not face any real opposition. “Voters ought to have a choice for any office.”

But Flynn, who was interviewed at the county center where he was filing his paperwork to meet Monday’s reporting deadline, was anticipating serious competition. He has planned to raise $50,000 for the election, at least one-third more than he typically raises for reelection bids. As of June 30, he and his wife had lent the campaign $400 and he had accepted nearly $650 in in-kind gifts. He said since June 30 he has raised about $3,000 and knocked on about 2,500 doors.

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Times staff writer Daryl Kelley contributed to this story.