CA-26: Steve Bennett’s Change of Mind Forcing a Change in Linda Park’s Independent Campaign Plans

We learned over the weekend at the State Democratic Convention in San Diego that Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett changed his mind and would not run for Congress. Instead he will run for re-election to the Ventura County Supervisors.

So, who is left in the CA-26 race (filing opened yesterday and will close on March 9).

• Republican California State Senator Tony Strickland
• Independent/Republican Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks
• Democrat Moorpark Councilman David Pollock
• Democrat Oxnard Harbor Commissioner Jess Herrera
• Democrat Westlake Village businessman David Cruz Thayne
• Libertarian/Republican Akiva Werbalowsky

It has also been rumored that Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, a Democrat, who represents most of Oxnard and Port Hueneme is also looking at the race.

And, I maintain that ultimately (by the ninth anyway), Rep. Brad Sherman who is in a contentious race against Rep Howard Berman will move from CA-30 in the San Fernando Valley out to Ventura County.

But, what about Linda Parks, the Ventura County Supervisor who while a registered Republican says she wants to run an “independent or bipartisan” campaign? Here she is saying such at her announcement:

This was all good and as Timm Herdt over at the Ventura County Star points out – Parks had the best of both worlds. She could be a “registered” Republican yet be designated on the ballot that she did not identify with either party – in other words she was an independent.

But, the election law changed Monday – just in time for the opening of the filing period.

So, Steve Bennett’s withdrawal has shaken up Linda Park’s plans. Parks will either have to change her registration to “Decline to State,” from Republican or be listed as “prefers Republican Party on the ballot.”

Guess we will find out soon – at least by the 9th of March.