Four county offices up for election
Editor's note: This story is one in a series on the June 7 primary. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/news/elections.
Here are profiles of candidates running for four Ventura County offices in the June 7 election:
Clerk-Recorder
Three candidates are running for County Clerk-Recorder to succeed incumbent Mark Lunn, who is not seeking a fourth term:
Michelle Ascencion, the county's assistant clerk-recorder who has no party preference; Bruce Boyer, a Republican with no ballot designation; and Jeff Hargleroad, a Republican executive, farmer and chief financial officer.
The clerk-recorder's office has three divisions:
Clerk: Issues marriage licenses, performs civil marriage ceremonies, processes fictitious business name filings, and provides for the qualification and registration of notaries, process servers and miscellaneous statutory oaths and other filings.
Recorder: Responsible for recording and maintaining various property transactions, court decrees and vital records.
Elections Division (Registrar of Voters): Conducts all elections in the county, including general municipal elections.
A candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote in the June 7 primary wins the seat, otherwise, the top two vote-getters face off in the November election.
The Star sent a questionnaire to each candidate so voters could learn more about them. Here are their responses:
Michelle Ascencion
Age: 46
Occupation: Ventura County Assistant Clerk-Recorder
Public Service: Ventura County Assistant Clerk-Recorder, 2020-present; Oxnard City Clerk, 2016-2020; Clerk of the Board; Ventura Regional Sanitation District/Saticoy Sanitary District/Triunfo Water & Sanitation District, 2016; Port Hueneme Deputy City Clerk/City Clerk, 2008-2016; Port Hueneme Executive Specialist (City Manager’s Office), 2006-2008
Education: Associate of Arts in liberal arts and sciences, Oxnard College; Bachelor of Science in journalism and public relations, California Polytechnic State University
What is your top priority and what are you committed to doing to make that happen?
My top priority is voter education and engagement. Democracy works best when we all participate. Earlier this year, Ventura County transitioned to a “Voter’s Choice Act” (VCA) county after successfully testing the model in the November 2020 election and the 2021 gubernatorial recall. Those elections had record-setting turnout numbers. This new system offers dozens of vote centers countywide providing 11 days of in-person voting and includes mailing a vote-by-mail ballot to all registered voters. Because this is different from the traditional polling place model, public outreach and education are important to help people understand the participation and safety benefits of VCA.
Some members of the public in recent years have expressed diminished trust in the integrity of elections. What will you do to assuage those concerns in Ventura County?
Ventura County’s elections have been safe, secure and accurate for many, many years. As an experienced city clerk before becoming assistant county clerk-recorder, I know first-hand that the county is very advanced in voting machine integrity, rigorous auditing, multilayered protocols ensuring accurate voter rolls, and a highly transparent vote-counting process. As clerk-recorder, I intend to extend our social media outreach to assure voters that elections are secure and accurate. We will also improve the website to make it more informative and user-friendly for candidates and voters.
Bring the heat: Election heats up in Ventura County with crowded races, few incumbents and redrawn districts
Bruce Boyer
Age: "Over 50"
Occupation: Business owner, rancher and private security expert
Public Service: N/A
Education: "Yes, I did attend such a prestigious cow college that its name is of no importance."
What is your top priority and what are you committed to doing to make that happen?
I will bring in volunteer retired cops and private investigators. We will go through it all. All voter registrations will be verified and the rolls purged of the deceased, those who moved away and frauds. Any and all voter fraud will be made public and arrests will be made. The vote fraud will all be disclosed if there is just a little or a lot. Everyone will know the true score and we will have undisputedly clean elections, knowing that the winners won and the losers lost. Then we can move on together all as Americans.
Some members of the public in recent years have expressed diminished trust in the integrity of elections. What will you do to assuage those concerns in Ventura County?
(Same answer given as above)
Jeff Hargleroad
Age: 61
Occupation: Farmer and chief financial officer
Public Service: Served on board of the USDA Farm Service Agency for Ventura County
Education: Bachelor of Arts in business administration/certified public accounting, California State University Northridge
What is your top priority and what are you committed to doing to make that happen?
Voter roll management is critical to the legitimacy of our voting process. Ballots should be provided only to citizens entitled to participate in our county elections. This office must take complete responsibility for the accuracy of our rolls and be proactive in managing additions, deletions and canvassing.
Some members of the public in recent years have expressed diminished trust in the integrity of elections. What will you do to assuage those concerns in Ventura County?
My executive consulting and auditing experience allow me to evaluate, identify and implement improvements to address election integrity and restore voter confidence. This office manages every aspect of our elections. It starts with roll accuracy, flaws in ballot distribution, collection, validation and tabulation — all the while ensuring an unquestionable chain of custody. Policies, protocols and training pertaining to voting center personnel and third-party observers need to be improved and actually adhered to in the field to remove any doubt about a safe and secure election process.
Assessor
The two candidates for Ventura County assessor disagree on the effectiveness of the office.
Chief Deputy Assessor Keith Taylor of Camarillo believes the assessor's office has a proven record on equity in assessing property but his opponent, Bradley Coburn of Lake Sherwood, sees the need for reforms.
The winner in the June 7 primary will succeed Dan Goodwin, who is retiring from the position he has held since 1998.
With a $16.7 million budget and a staff of 132, the assessor establishes the ownership and assessed value of all taxable property in the county and publishes the annual assessment rolls.
Here are the candidates' responses to The Star's questionnaire:
Bradley Coburn
Age: 45
Occupation: Licensed appraiser
Public service: N/A
Education: Master's degree in business administration, UC Irvine
Has the county been equitable in assessing properties and how would you address this issue in office?
Currently, the assessor’s office favors the county treasury at the expense of residents. Assessors can lower taxes when home values decline, yet only 6% of homes received lower tax relief in the 2008 crash. This kept county tax coffers overflowing while our neighbors lost their homes. I will maintain a healthy tax base but remain independent from political tax pressure.
Keith Taylor
Age: 58
Occupation: Chief deputy assessor
Public service: Ventura County Chief Deputy Assessor since 2018; Santa Barbara County Chief Deputy Assessor, 2013-2018
Education: Bachelor's degree in business economics with an emphasis in accounting, UC Santa Barbara
Has the county been equitable in assessing properties and how would you address this issue in office?
The Ventura County assessor has a proven record of being equitable in assessing property as evidenced by reductions in values for those affected by wildfires and COVID. As assessor, I will administer laws that assure property owners are assessed fairly, impartially and without bias. I will continue to annually review thousands of assessments under Proposition 8 to ensure the public interest comes first.
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Sue Horgan, Ventura County's assistant treasurer-tax collector and Ron Speakman, a certified public accountant, are vying for county treasurer-tax collector. Steven Hintz, the incumbent, decided against seeking a fourth term.
With a $5.3 million budget and a staff of 42, the treasurer tax-collector administers and enforces banking, investment and tax laws.
Here are the candidates' responses to The Star's questionnaire:
Sue Horgan
Age: 66
Occupation: Assistant treasurer-tax collector
Public service: Ventura County assistant treasurer-tax collector since 2017; Ojai mayor, mayor pro tem, city council member, 1999-2012; Ojai planning commissioner, 1999; Ojai redevelopment commissioner, 1998
Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration and finance, University of Colorado Boulder
How would you improve communications with county taxpayers regarding their investment fund?
The investment fund exists for the benefit of its participants — the county, schools, colleges, cities and other county agencies/districts. Everything related to the fund is public information and published on the website, including detailed investment reports, annual reviews and audits. I will always be available to meet with them by phone or in person.
Ron Speakman
Age: 65
Occupation: Certified public accountant, financial advisor
Public service: Board member for Pleasant Valley School District in Camarillo since 1998; Ventura County Fish and Game Commissioner since 2019
Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, CSU Northridge
How would you improve communications with county taxpayers regarding their investment fund?
The treasurer's office currently has a very comprehensive website detailing the policies, procedures and details related to the size of the fund and the parameters governing investment objectives and results. As treasurer, I will be proactive in securing opportunities to appear and speak in public venues to raise awareness of the treasurer's office and the functions it performs.
Auditor-Controller
Jeffrey Burgh is a shoo-in candidate for auditor-controller.
He's the incumbent and the only one running for the office he has held for the past eight years.
The auditor-controller, a $158,000-a-year position, oversees the accounting and financial operations of activities under control of the county Board of Supervisors and conducts annual financial audits of county services.
The office oversees a $16 million budget and a staff of 74.
Here are Burgh's responses to The Star's questionnaire:
Public service: Ventura County Auditor-Controller since 2014; Ventura County assistant auditor-controller, 2012-2014; deputy executive officer, Ventura County CEO's office, 2008-2012
Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration-accounting theory and practice, CSU Northridge; master's degree in public policy and administration, California Lutheran University
How would you describe the state of the county's financial health? How would you improve public access to county financial data and help residents understand the information?
The financial health is in a good state, evidenced by the outstanding credit rating assigned the county by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. This high rating allows the county to borrow at low-interest rates, saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually. I would expand the financial information provided on the county’s webpage, add interactive applications to help residents understand, and offer a direct call line.
June 7 primary election
Ventura County will be conducting the election under a new California Voter's Choice Act model that allows voters to choose how, when and where to cast their ballots.
Ballots: Mail-in ballots are sent to all registered voters starting May 9.
When and where to vote: Mail or drop off ballots by June 7 or vote in person May 28 – June 7 at county voting centers. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Election Day, when they run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can vote early in person beginning May 9 at the Ventura County Elections Division office on the bottom floor of the county's Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.
Voter registration deadlines: Online by May 23 and in person through June 7.
To check registration status: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
Learn more: venturavote.org
Latest election news: vcstar.com/news/elections
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Four Ventura County offices up for election in June 7 primary
