Candidates running for county supervisor
On Nov. 8, Ventura County Supervisor candidates Jeff Gorell and Claudia Bill De La Peña will compete for Ventura County’s second district.
The district, which encompasses Newbury Park, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, is a swing district where neither Republicans or Democrats have a strong lead. So far, Claudia Bill De La Peña, city council member, is estimated to win 49 percent of the vote and Jeff Gorell, a former state assemblyman, is estimated to win 37 percent.
Political scientist, Tim Allison, called Bill de la Peña’s strong finish the only surprise in the election, given that Jeff Gorell has worked in Sacramento as a state assemblyman.
Bill de la Peña has detailed her intentions clearly if she wins office. “The Board of Supervisors is charged with overseeing 16 departments and 10,000 employees. Every decision a supervisor makes must take into account all interests in the county, not just special interests. So it is the social services programs such as mental health treatment programs to end homelessness that require the most attention, along with policies to protect our environment,” Bill de la Peña said. “My motto is ‘Community Interests, Not Special Interests!’ because we must be able to stand up to big oil and developers who may not always have our health and interests in mind.”
Jeff Gorell has also described the action he would take if he wins. “I believe we need a five person board of supervisors that is committed to working together strategically to solve the problems of homelessness, crime, water, and the lack of higher wage jobs in the county. We have not had that level of vision and collaboration on the board in decades,” Gorell said. He has also stated that he wants to fund public safety and mental health services.
Both candidates’ campaigns cover a wide range of issues. Bill de la Peña primarily focuses on pollution and maintaining a clean environment, while Gorell focuses on homelessness, crime, and unemployment. Given the wide range of issues, Ventura County voters will have to make a choice on which issues they believe are the most important.
