Shocker: Ventura County Star Endorses Audra Strickland for California Assembly

Flap is truly shocked that the left-leaning Ventura County Star editorial board would actually endorse a Republican incumbent Assemblywoman.

Twice now in four years, The Star Editorial Board has endorsed Democrat Ferial Masry, a remarkable woman who has run unsuccessfully against incumbent Republican Assemblywoman Audra Strickland in the 37th Assembly District.

This year — the last for which Ms. Strickland can run for the Assembly before she is termed out in 2010 — The Star Editorial Board is endorsing Ms. Strickland.

We continue to admire Ms. Masry, 59, a high school teacher in the San Fernando Valley, for her common-sense approach to governance, democratic ideals and grasp of the issues. She would make an outstanding legislator.

However, voters have twice chosen Ms. Strickland over Ms. Masry to represent them in the 37th Assembly District, which includes Camarillo, Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. This year, the Republican registration lead in the 37th Assembly District has been whittled down to 7 percentage points from 11 four years ago — still relatively safe for a Republican.

Flap bets the Ventura County Star is acknowledging that the 37th Assembly District is a GOP “SAFE” one and why fight a rising tide in a sinking boat.

The real prize is, of course, the California State Senate District which Audra’s husband, Tony, is seeking.

There is no way the Ventura County Star will endorse Tony Strickland in that race and Flap bets the editorial is especially scathing – even for the VC Star.

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