A formal campaign kick-off event is scheduled for early September.
Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere has publicly announced his candidacy for the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, District 1. With deep roots in both Ventura and the Ojai Valley, an impressive record of leadership on Ventura’s City Council and a lengthy, diverse group of endorsements, Mayor LaVere is excited to kick-off his campaign for County Supervisor.
“I am running for Ventura County Supervisor for a simple reason: I want to continue working to ensure that the Ventura County my young daughters inherit in 20 years is even better than the Ventura County we know today” stated Mayor LaVere. “That means balancing respect for the County’s unique history, while also having a bold vision for its future. We need to be aggressive in creating and attracting jobs that pay a living wage. We need to build more affordable housing, not by paving over our precious open spaces but rather through redevelopment of blighted properties. We need to plan for a sustainable future by protecting our water sources, agricultural land, hills and beaches. We need to address the local homeless and mental health crisis. These are the issues that will determine the future of Ventura County and will be my top priorities as Supervisor.”
Mayor LaVere’s campaign for County Supervisor has been bolstered by significant support and enthusiasm in the community. He has received over $120,000 in campaign contributions from more than 300 unique donors. He is proud to have earned the endorsements of local elected leaders like Ventura City Councilmember (and former Mayor) Cheryl Heitmann, Ventura City Councilmember (and former Mayor) Erik Nasarenko, Ventura City Councilmember (and former Mayor) Jim Friedman, Ventura City Councilmember Lorrie Brown, former Mayor of Oxnard Dr. Manuel Lopez, VUSD Board of Trustees President Sabrena Rodriguez, VUSD Board of Trustees Vice-President Jackie Moran, VUSD Trustee (and former President) Velma Lomax, and VUSD Trustee Matt Almarez.
“I am proud to endorse Matt in his campaign for County Supervisor. His work ethic and community engagement has been a huge asset to the Ventura City Council, and I know he will serve the residents of Ventura County incredibly well as the next Supervisor for District 1” said former Mayor and current City of Ventura councilmember Cheryl Heitmann.
Mayor LaVere has also earned the support of the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, the City of Ventura Firefighters Association, the City of Ventura Police Officers Association, the Central Coast Labor Council, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce political action committee, IBEW Local 952, SEIU Local 721, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, UFCW Local 770, Laborers Local 585 (LiUNA), and the Tri-Counties Building & Construction Trades Council.
“Mayor LaVere has an exemplary record of serving the residents of Ventura, even in the most difficult of times following the Thomas Fire. He has proven himself to be an incredibly effective and innovative leader while advocating for public safety, economic development and the sustainability of Ventura’s future” said Kevin Aguayo, President of the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association. “We believe a leader like Mayor LaVere will be a great addition to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and we are proud to support his campaign.”
Matt LaVere was elected to the Ventura City Council in November 2016 as the top vote-getter. After serving for one year as Deputy Mayor, he now serves as Ventura’s Mayor. He has also served on the Ventura City Council’s Economic Development subcommittee, Homeless & Affordable Housing subcommittee and the Finance & Budget subcommittee. He has also represented the City Council on the Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development subcommittee, the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG), the Association of Water Agencies (AWA), the Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century (RDP-21) and as the City Council’s liaison to the Casitas Water District board.
