Absentee vote count favors Foy
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The longwinded race to decide who will represent Simi Valley and Moorpark on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors finally looks like it's coming to a close.

Candidate Peter Foy, who trailed by more than 300 votes at the end of Election Day, surged ahead of his opponent, Jim Dantona, after more than 71,000 absentee ballots were counted.

Foy, a political newcomer, had secured a 703-vote lead as of Wednesday.

"This is the kind of election that keeps on giving," said Foy, who expected the trend to continue when remaining absentee and provisional ballots are counted today.

Dantona isn't giving up yet, but said he realizes his chance of winning is slimming down.

"It isn't over until the fat lady sings, although she started to clear her throat and I have a steep mountain to climb," he said.

Assuming he's going to Ventura in January, Foy said he's thankful and appreciative for the trust the voters granted him.

"I look forward to serving all the constituents in the district and the county. We're here to work together," Foy said.

Regardless of the outcome, Dantona said his campaign resonated with the voters.

"There hasn't been this much excitement for a county race in a long time," he said.

Supervisor Judy Mikels was ousted in June because people wanted a full-time representative, Dantona said, adding his concerns that Foy's plans to maintain a business and a ranch and serve as supervisor will challenge his ability to commit fully to the position.

Foy didn't run away with the election as many had predicted, Dantona said.

"I've taken this guy down to the wire," he said.

Dantona expressed concern over the amount of time spent counting the ballots. The campaign was nerve racking, and sitting and waiting for the results wasn't helping, he said.

"It never should take so long," Dantona said, adding that yet uncounted ballots could create problems.

Foy, on the other hand, said that he wasn't phased by the delay and he's been confident all along.

If he's on the losing end when all the votes are counted, Dantona said, he might consider a recount. "I'm not discounting anything."

Candidates can ask for a recount but the process is costly and they must pay for the recount themselves, said Gene Browning, assistant registrar of voters.

"Any voter can ask for a recount," he said, by coming to the election office and requesting the recount within five days of the election's certification. They have to pay for the recount, unless the outcome changes, Browning said.

But first, all the ballots have to be counted, he said.

Additional absentee ballots were released Thursday night. "I never call it until it's done," said Browning.