Dantona decision sets up possible showdown with Strickland
Simi Democrat announces he's seeking party's nomination for state Senate
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Jim Dantona

Simi Valley resident Jim Dantona is running for the California Senate.

Dantona, who was narrowly defeated last November in his bid for county supervisor, said Aug. 27 he'll seek the Democratic nomination for the 19th District, which is currently represented by Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks).

"This is going to be the most expensive and high-profile state Senate race in the state of California because there is no incumbent running," Dantona said.

McClintock's term is set to expire in 2008 unless a ballot initiative allowing candidates to run for a third term passes in February. If it does, it is expected that McClintock will run again.

Dantona, 59, will likely face off against another well-known area politician if he's able to win the June 2008 primary.

Former Assemblyman Tony Strickland, a Republican from Moorpark, has also announced his intentions to fill McClintock's vacated seat. Strickland was defeated last November in his campaign to become state controller.

The 19th District includes most of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, including the cities of Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Simi Valley, and a very small portion of Los Angeles County.

Dantona, a political consultant, came within 900 votes of defeating Republican Peter Foy to represent the 4th District on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

Nevertheless, Dantona said, local demographics are changing. While registered Republicans still outnumber registered Democrats in the district, 18 percent of the voters are independent, and those voters should decide the race for state Senate.

"This race will be very tight," stated Dantona, who said he plans to represent the needs of "Middle America." These include healthcare, education, public safety and local job preservation.

"People are looking for people who can provide for their district," he said. "The average person has to work hard to make a living for his or her family and get a good education for his or her children.

"People lose their healthcare when they lose jobs. We lose jobs in California because major companies are outsourcing jobs overseas," Dantona added

Another major issue for the Democrat and former lobbyist is the education system.

"I believe that government has to support public education," he said.

Strickland, the husband of current Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, has raised $445,000 in the last five months for his state Senate campaign.

"It's going to be a long campaign, but that's what democracy is about and I'm confident because I'm going to run on my record," said Strickland.

The focus of his platform is fiscal responsibility.

"Right now we're spending more than we taking in," he said.

Public safety and transportation are also priorities, Strickland added.