Dantona drops out of state Senate race
Candidate's withdrawal leaves Hannah-Beth Jackson sole democrat running
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Jim Dantona

Just a month before the state primary, Jim Dantona is withdrawing from the race to represent Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in the California Senate.

Dantona, who made his announcement Monday, said he wanted to ease the path and increase the chances for fellow Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson to defeat Republican Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark), the sole GOP candidate, for the 19th District seat in Sacramento.

"It wasn't an easy decision," Dantona said. "I'm a team player and a good Democrat."

Two Democrats in the race would have ensured that Strickland would win, he added. "So one of us had to give way."

With preliminary polls showing it was going to be a tight primary race between Jackson and Dantona, the latter said such a campaign would have depleted fiscal resources needed to beat Strickland in November.

Jackson, who received no advance warning of Dantona's decision, acknowledged that avoiding a divisive primary campaign would help her get closer to the ultimate goal- winning the 19th District.

"It certainly makes the race easier and allows me to focus on the general election," said Jackson, adding, "I have nothing but the highest regard for Jim."

Although she lives in Santa Barbara and has never represented the East County and Camarillo before, Jackson said she's familiar with local issues.

A member of the California state Assembly for six years representing the 35th District (Ventura, Oxnard and Santa Barbara), Jackson said she helped mobilize the community to oppose the development of Ahmanson Ranch and was an early supporter of California State University Channel Islands.

Jackson also took steps early on to increase public awareness and action regarding the hazards of perchlorate contamination in local soil and groundwater. She was the author of Assembly Bill 826, the Perchlorate Contamination Prevention Act of 2003 and has been working to help resolve issues at the contaminated Santa Susana Field Lab for many years, she said.

"I work with leaders . . . to represent their interests and pass legislation that's going to be helpful in the community," she said, adding that 63 of her bills were signed into law during her tenure in the Assembly from 1998 to 2004.

Jackson's opponent is also an experienced politician.

A resident of Moorpark, Strickland represented the 37th District (encompassing most of Ventura County) in the state Assembly during the same six years as Jackson.

The fiscally conservative Republican ran for state controller in 2006 but did not win.

Strickland's wife, Audra (RWestlake Village), is a local Assembly member.

Strickland began his political career as chief of staff for Tom McClintock, whose term in the California Senate representing the 19th District will end this year unless the law changes on Feb. 5.

If Proposition 93, which seeks to extend term limits, passes, incumbent McClintock will be able to seek a third term.

Strickland said that is not likely to happen since voters have turned down similar extension proposals before. However, Strickland added, he would not continue his Senate campaign if McClintock is able to run again. "I respect Tom, and I would support his campaign."

Concerning Dantona's decision to drop out of the race, Strickland, who was in New Hampshire campaigning for presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Tuesday, said he always anticipated that Jackson would prevail in the primaries.

"Voters will now have a clear contrast between Jackson and me," Strickland said. "I'm looking forward to a hard campaign."