Updated election results. No major changes.

Click here for Ventura County election results.

Click here for California election results.

For districts that include multiple counties go to the state website.

In Simi Valley Dan White, Debbie Sandland, and Rob Collins continue to lead in the race for the three seats on the school board.

Josie Hirsch ran a very competitive campaign. She had the support of many Republican elected officials including Buck McKeon, Scott Wilk, Tony Strickland, Barbra Williamson, Glen Becerra, and Mike Judge. The Ventura County Republican Central Committee also supported her.

It would be for the best if she continues to find ways to contribute to the community. She is working on bringing a Renaissance Fair to this area. I am planning on going. It should be a great event.

The three winning candidates did not get support from a political party. Dan White is a Republican. Debbie Sandland and Rob Collins declined the support of the Democratic Party. They could have been included on slate mailers, for free, sent to Democratic households. All three were endorsed by the teachers union. I was on the interview panel that talked with Dan White. I am really excited he will be on the school board. He has shared with me many of his plans for technology. His agenda for fixing how we use technology in Simi Valley schools is shared by teachers.

You do not need to register to comment, but keep it classy.

Bob Huber has officially filed for mayor and has sent out a press release outlining the themes of his campaign. Click on continue reading to see the full press release.

His themes include:

Requiring companies that contract with the city or do business in the city to use the e-verify system for their employees.

High power endorsements of elected officials like State Senator Tony Strickland (R), Rep. Elton Gallegly (R), and School Board Member Rob Collins (D). Rob Collins has long been Simi Valley's most prominent elected Democrat. Add to that his endorsement from former Ventura County Democratic Party Chair and Bob Huber has the most legitimate claim to running a bipartisan campaign.

Creating a volunteer ombudsman position to help businesses with city regulations instead of creating a paid position.

Monthly Townhall meetings for citizens to speak with their elected officials. If Bob Huber feels strongly about this issue he should speak to his prominent backer Rep. Elton Gallegly since Gallegly doesn't hold townhall forums. All of the other Representatives in this region, of both parties, except Gallegly hold townhall forums. Gallegly does make public appearances at Republican Party and Tea Party events but he doesn't hold town hall forums.

I'd like to know more about his thoughts on working with the school district to help public education, his position on the proposed landfill position, and if he supports the major renovations of the Arroyo.

I was invited to an upcoming Team Huber event and I told them I would attend if I can take pictures and ask Bob Huber a few questions like I did at the Team Sojka event.

( Bob Huber along with former Mayor Cathie Wright, State Senator Tony Strickland, and former mayor Greg Stratton. Photo courtesy of Bob Huber.)

Correction : A reader sent in a clarification letting me know that Steve Sojka has not endorsed Audra Strickland before. Thanks for the correction.

Full Disclosure: A reader suggested it was noteworthy to mention I am a member of The Simi Valley Education Association (SEA), a group that I said might be an important endorsement. I am a member but I don't have any knowledge if the union is interested in endorsing in a city race. I haven't spoken to any of the union leaders about the issue.

Although I have already reported that attorney Bob Huber is running to be the next mayor of Simi Valley he made it official today.

The three most often mentioned candidates are Community College Board Trustee Bob Huber, Council Member Steve Sojka, and Council Member Barbra Williamson. My predictions for this year for this campaign is that only two of the three names mentioned above will run for mayor.

I was most surprised at Tony Strickland's endorsement. Tony Strickland is the leader of the Ventura County Republican Party and his endorsement will be influential in this campaign. Steve Sojka has frequently endorsed Tony Strickland and Audra Strickland for the various offices they have run for in the past.

Do you think Steve Sojka regrets helping them in their past races now that Tony Strickland is lending critical support to a formidable opponent? Maybe Linda Parks should call him and see if they want to endorse each other...

What other critical endorsements are out there for the candidates running?

Here's my list in no particular order:

1. Paul Miller 2. George Runner 3. The Simi Valley POA 4. Glen Becerra 5. Michelle Foster 6. Simi Valley School Board and Park Board Members 7. Cameron Smyth 8. Simi Valley Teachers (SEA) 9. Peter Foy 10. Keith Richman 11. Police Chief Mike Lewis

Bob Huber has started out strong and has a head start on officially campaigning. That being said Steve Sojka has many attributes that he can use in a campaign. Because of his direct mail business I expect he will be able to maximize his campaign spending. He is involved in many local charities including The Police Foundation which could help him with the POA. Public safety is the perennially most important issue in Simi Valley city elections and in addition to his support of The Police Foundation he has a long family history with the SVPD.

This race could be very exciting. As a blogger and a voter I look forward to a contested race for mayor. Contested elections are good for democracies and this contest could make the successful candidate a better mayor. I will be covering the campaigns more often than any other source.

To the candidates and their supporters: If you ever see a comment that goes over the top and should be removed please send me an email. I do not post that you requested a comment removed. You don't need to register to comment. Keep it classy everyone.

Click on continue reading for another photograph of Bob Huber.

In a continuing tradition I sometimes put up a discussion or debate entry on Thursday Nights and recruit a few participants. Over the next few days former Simi Valley Mayor and School Board Member Greg Stratton and long time educator and union leader Stephen Blum of Ventura will be discussing their views and experiences in education.

Here are their biographies:

Greg Stratton:

Greg has served as mayor of Simi Valley and after that he served on the Simi Valley Board of Education. He has occasionally written comments on my blog and has been outspoken in his views to the local press. Greg, Stephen sent in his bio below. He has frustrated fellow board members, unions, and more over the years. Serving on local boards and councils is often a thank less job. Being an elected official opens a person up to a high level of criticism, some of it deserved and some of it not. Greg, ever think of running for the park board and saying you served on all three?

If you want to add more to your bio email it to me and I will update yours too.

Stephen Blum:

Education: BA in history from California Lutheran - 1977, MA in education from California Lutheran - 1990, Juris Doctorate from Ventura College of Law 2006. Passed California Bar Exam in 2006.

Taught for 25 years at Buena High School, Foothill Technology High School, and Ventura Adult Education. Coached cross-country and track and field for 22 years at Buena High School. Currently serving in eighth year as president of the Ventura Unified Education Association. Member of the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees since 2006.

Married to Debbie Blum who teaches at Rio Mesa High School. Our daughter, Teresa, is attending Ventura College. Competitive road runner for 30 years, two time Master's National Champion (5,000 and 10000 meters) former Master's American Record holder (road 5,000).

The format for this discussion is free flowing. I am going to start by posting some questions below that I want both of you to answer with a very brief response. After that it will be more Lincoln Douglas style where you can ask each other questions and explain your views more.

Make sure to include examples from your involvement with education to help all of us understand your reasoning more.

So here goes:

1. What are your thoughts on the recent Pink Friday rallies? Did either of you attend an event?

2. President Barack Obama has said he supports merit pay, extending the school day, and other educational reforms. Have you ever supported these type of proposals?

3. What do you think of the growth of magnet schools and/or charter schools? Would you like to see the expansion of charter or magnet schools in your community?

What are the major reasons charter or magnet schools haven't been increasing in your area? Simi Valley has two elementary magnet schools but it takes luck to get a student in. Do you support growing charter or magnet programs?

4. The state budget is likely going to cut back substantially on education spending. What do you think the impact on the quality of education will be? What programs or staff would you cut?

5. The seniority system makes sure that new teachers are laid off first, regardless of passion, talent, and skills. But most districts use some sort of tie breakers after seniority.

Do you support the seniority system as it currently is used? What tie breakers do you think should be used?

Thanks to both of you for agreeing to participate.

Comments from other people will be deleted until after the discussion when my readers can post their thoughts.

UPDATE: THIS ENTRY IS NOW OPEN FOR ANYONE TO COMMENT.

( This is a RFK speech. When you have extra time check out some other famous speeches on youtube.com )

A great thing going for local Democrats and progressives is that there are so many different organizations to get involved with. If the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee isn't your thing, then Vote Blue might be more interesting.

Vote Blue is a progressive Political Action Committee ( PAC ), that focuses on voter registration and other projects.

Helen Conly, a leader in the group sent out their year end report that includes their successes and future plans. Click on continue reading to see it.

Click here for their website.

( Rep. Barney Frank wielding the gavel.)

Do you read the letters to the editor in local papers? This letter from former Simi Valley School Board Member Greg Stratton was in The Acorn and in The Star.

What goes around comes around. So Janice DiFatta and Debbie Sandland are shocked that Debbie was passed over for president of the Simi Valley Unified School District board. Obviously, their definition of "recent memory" does not go all the way back to 2004, when they broke protocol and denied me and Carla Kurachi our turns as board president and clerk. They taught Rob Collins well that the leadership decision is purely political. I'm sure he remembers back that far.
By the protocol, Eric Lundstrom should have been clerk last year. Apparently, they forgot that part of it then, but now they conveniently remember the rules. I don't know how they each can make the statements they made without being afraid of being struck by lightning for twisting the truth.
It gives me some hope to see the board escape from the path those two have chartered. We have a good district, but it needs leadership to make it what it can be -- a great district. That means change, and the two of them have been there so long they don't even understand the need for change. They have become so embedded in the status quo that they take any suggestion for change as a personal affront. Well, times have changed, and the district needs to as well.
So, congratulations to President Lundstrom, and keep up the good work. You can now chart a new course for the district that will improve it for years to come. Good luck.
-- Greg Stratton, Simi Valley
(The writer was a board member from 2002 to 2006. -- Editor)

As a matter of disclosure I am a teacher in Simi Valley. That being said I really don't know how who is the president or clerk of the School Board influences local schools. I haven't paid attention to this issue jut as I don't normally pay attention to who the Mayor Pro Tem of a city is currently. I guess it helps people when they run for office and want a title to put by their names, but what else is there to the title?

Mayor Stratton, ( I assume, like president you get to keep the title) can you fill us in? In your letter you said : "So, congratulations to President Lundstrom, and keep up the good work. You can now chart a new course for the district that will improve it for years to come. Good luck." How does a board president chart a course for the district? Is there something in the bylaws, special committees they are assigned to, or do they become the go to person for staff?

Anyone else know the powers of a school board president and clerk? If they are running a meeting it seems they would work with the other board members on schedules and the like anyway. If the position was truly powerful, why would it be rotated anyways?

None of this should be construed to say I have a strong opinion on who the board president should be.

Click here for Mike Chandler's opinion on the issue. Mike writes the blog votesimivalley.com. He blogs often about Simi Valley. If you know something that needs to be covered send him a message.