Election 2024: Meet the candidates in California’s 38th Assembly District

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Editor’s note: This story is one in a series on the Nov. 5 general election. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/news/elections.

Two candidates are competing to represent western Ventura County in California’s 38th Assembly District in the Nov. 5 election.

The district that stretches across much of the western portions of the county includes Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore and part of Camarillo. The incumbent spent 20 years as a county supervisor and is in his second term as a state assembly member. The challenger would be newer to elected office but has become a presence in the local political scene.

Below are responses to The Star’s questions in the candidates’ own words. They have been edited for clarity and space.

Deborah ‘Deb’ Baber

Occupation: Retired book publishing executive

Age: 68

Residence: Port Hueneme

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, Hunter College

Elected office and years in office: Ventura County Republican Party Central Committee District 3, 2020-2024; Ventura County Republican Party Central Committee District 5, reelected in 2024.

Campaign website: votedebbaber.com

In 150 words or less, what’s your top priority and how do you plan to accomplish it? Government is too big. It takes too much money from our pockets, and too often it acts outside its authority. Planning for the future, creating the solutions today. Use technology to bring Sacramento to Ventura County. Voters should not have to travel to Sacramento, taking time off from work and family and at their expense, to speak on items of interest. We need more regular participation by voters and less government intrusion and intervention in our lives. Bills to be introduced:

  • The Poison Pill Bill:Puts price controls back in the hands of voters.

  • Cap and Trade Legislation:Limits the number of bills to consider and makes clear who is partnering on promoting the legislation.

  • Floodlights Statute:Makes salaries and per diem expenses easy to find!

  • Sticks and Stones, Words Matter Measure:Requires all ballot measures in the state to be written at a fifth-grade reading level!

Steve Bennett

Occupation: Assembly member

Age: 73

Party: Democrat

Residence: Ventura

Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, Brown University; master’s degree in education, Butler University

Previous elected office: State Assembly, 2020-present; Ventura County Board of Supervisors, 2000-2020; and Ventura City Council, 1993-1997.

Campaign website: stevebennettforassembly.com

In 150 words or less, what’s your top priority and how do you plan to accomplish it? Address California’s problems that we too often allow to fester year after year, particularly the climate, wildfire, water and housing crises. Often the state sets big goals but fails to properly follow through on the implementation of them. My legislation and efforts focus on: more follow through and accountability on climate change, more funding for wildfire prevention strategies, better oversight of groundwater agencies to stop over-drafting water and focusing funding and legislation more narrowly on building truly affordable housing for current workers in our communities not people buying a vacation home in Ventura County. Tackling festering problems requires calling the problem out, even when it makes people uncomfortable, particularly powerful interests who are threatened by the change. Then identifying effective solutions used by other countries, states or the private sector. Finally, convincing stakeholders to support the solution in spite of the political pressure that has allowed the problem to fester.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at [email protected] or 805-437-0260.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Baber, Bennett vie in California 38th Assembly District race

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