For Prosecutors, D.A. Election Is a Family Matter

With the district attorney election less than three months away, most of Ventura County’s law enforcement associations have already thrown their weight behind one of the two declared candidates.

Except one.

The Ventura County Prosecutors’ Assn., a group of about 100 lawyers, has yet to back a candidate.

The group is holding a closed-door debate tonight between prosecutors Greg Totten and Ron Bamieh, who are vying to succeed retiring Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury. An endorsement could be announced as early as next week.

So far, Totten, the 47-year-old chief assistant district attorney, has garnered support from Bradbury, Sheriff Bob Brooks, several police unions and every mayor and police chief in the county.

Bamieh, a 35-year-old senior prosecutor, has been endorsed by the Simi Valley police officers’ association and former state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley).

The prosecutors now deciding between the two candidates have much at stake in the race. They will work directly for whoever is elected and are weighing their endorsement carefully.

“As people who have worked with both candidates for many years,” said prosecutor David Lehr, “I think it is extremely important for the public to know who the members of the organization think will do the best job.”

The contested election, the first since 1978, has already created tension in the Ventura County district attorney’s office.

Rumors have surfaced about who may be hired and fired. Loyalties have been tested.

Campaign Can’t Be Discussed at Work

Several weeks ago, Bradbury issued a memo reminding employees that campaigning for candidates is not allowed during work hours, although they can wear political buttons.

Both candidates said they hope tonight’s forum, which will be closed to the public to encourage a candid give-and-take, will give them an opportunity to ease concerns and clear up misperceptions.

“We work in an office that has not had an election in 24 years, and people don’t know how to react to it,” Bamieh said.

Totten said he has been concerned about tension in the office and has tried not to put pressure on people who work there.

“It is one of the issues, actually, as somebody who cares deeply about the office, that I have been most concerned about,” he said. “From the beginning of this process, I have conscientiously avoided asking anybody from the office for their support. I didn’t want them to feel pressure.”

The candidates have already faced off at a number of debates. But tonight’s forum will be different.

Debate May Focus on Insider Issues

Some prosecutors expect their colleagues to focus on specific issues pertaining to the structure and management of the office or, as Lehr put it, “family matters.”

Ventura County Prosecutors’ Assn. President Mark Pachowicz hopes that the forum will give prosecutors an opportunity to voice concerns and ask hard questions.

“We wanted to provide a forum for our members and people who work in the office to hear specific concerns addressed by the two people running,” said Pachowicz, who said he believes the endorsement will carry weight in the community.

“We have a unique perspective on the administration of justice in this county,” he said.

“When my neighbors want to know whom to vote for, I should be more informed than anyone else.”