Flynn Says He’s Undecided

Although one candidate already has entered the race, Ventura County Supervisor John K. Flynn said Wednesday that he will wait until next month to announce his plans on whether he will seek an eighth term in 2004.

“Timing is very important, and to announce anything is a major decision,” he said. “You’ve got to be prepared to talk about the issues.”

But the supervisor, who has represented the Oxnard-based 5th District for more than two decades, has suggested on several occasions that he probably would seek reelection.

Flynn brushed aside any concerns about the candidacy of Oxnard City Councilman John Zaragoza, who announced the day before that he was entering the race in the predominantly Latino district. Flynn said he always has enjoyed strong ties with the Latino community and the kind of name recognition that comes with 26 years of service.

“I almost know everyone, for God’s sake, I’ve been in office for so long,” Flynn said. Race “is really not an issue. I’ve always supported with a great voice and great strength the issues of my district, and, if I run again, that’s what I intend to do.”

But Zaragoza, a former bus driver with more than 30 years of public service on the council and various other commissions and agencies, said he believes it is time for new leadership.

“I have a fresh vision and an ability to bring people together for the betterment of all,” said Zaragoza, who was first elected to the council in 1996. “We have to balance environmental issues with our need for jobs, and I feel very confident and competent that I can help do that.”

Zaragoza’s announcement this week comes against a backdrop of public feuding between Flynn and some Latino leaders in the community, several of whom were infuriated last year when the supervisor reneged on an earlier pledge to step down. This has led some to speculate that Flynn might be vulnerable.

But Zaragoza, a third-generation Oxnard resident, said he has no plans to build a campaign on his ethnicity. He said his focus will be on the issues.

“I believe that I represent one district, not just one group,” Zaragoza said. “I’ve twice been voted into the City Council. It took all races to get me in.”

Unseating Flynn wouldn’t be easy. In addition to his many years of service, he has built a reputation as a champion of civil rights and for promptly responding to complaints from constituents. He has even learned Spanish to better communicate with voters in his district, which is more than 60% Latino.

“If John decides to run again, it won’t be a cakewalk for any candidate,” said Hank Lacayo, a county activist who serves on the board of El Concilio del Condado de Ventura. Flynn has managed to transcend ethnicity, and an election would come down to whom the public views as the better candidate, Lacayo said.

“It’s important that Latinos sit at the table, but again in politics there are always twists,” Lacayo said. “[Former Los Angeles County Supervisor] Kenny Hahn was a white person who represented a totally black district. He managed to hold on for so long because he was a person who listened to their needs. John Flynn, to a certain degree, is that type of politician.”

Zaragoza said he decided to announce his candidacy early so he could begin fund-raising and campaigning as quickly as possible. But some said it may also be part of his strategy.

“It would seem like a preemptive move before people rally to anyone else,” said Herbert Gooch, chairman of the Cal Lutheran University political science department.