Sheriff Bob Brooks has said he may run for the Ventura County Board of Supervisors if incumbent Peter Foy decides to make a bid for governor.

Both are Simi Valley residents.

June 8 was the first day candidates could file paperwork to run for office in the 2010 election.

Foy, elected to the board of supervisors in 2006, said he is "still taking a hard look" at a possible bid for the state's chief office and said he will announce whether he plans to run in the next few months.

Foy represents District 4, which includes Moorpark, Simi Valley, Somis, Home Acres and the Santa Susana Knolls. His seat is up for reelection in 2010.

Although the 58-year-old Brooks—now in his third term— is expected to retire and not run for reelection as sheriff in 2010, he said his plans for next year are on hold until the sheriff's department budget makes its way through the board of supervisors.

"Right now we're in the midst of trying to avoid layoffs," said Brooks, a 36-year veteran of the department. "We're looking at 50 to 70 layoffs, and that is my focus right now."

Brooks said the board of supervisors is expected to vote on the sheriff's department budget later this month. He said the department is forced to trim $13.6 million from its $215-million budget.

The department is asking the county to give it $5 million in additional funding to stave off layoffs for both deputies and civilian personnel.

The sheriff's department has already made several costcutting restructuring moves that put civil service employees into management positions that are typically held by deputies. In addition, the department is not filling positions left vacant by retiring officers.

A long shot?

Foy, a relative newcomer to California politics, has gained some statewide recognition the past three years due to his involvement with a group vying for limited government and reduced taxes. As chair of Americans for Prosperity's California chapter, Foy has been traveling around the state to speak out against tax increases.

Does he consider himself a long shot for the governor's post?

"I think anybody is a long shot when you talk about running for governor of the largest state in the union," he said.

Foy cited the state's budget crisis as a clear indication that the GOP in Sacramento is in need of leadership.

"I think that what I see are people who are not fiscally responsible," he said. "We need to bring some fiscal sanity to the state."

Foy said lawmakers cannot solve the state's budget woes by making cuts.

"We truly have to restructure California," he said.

Dean moves forward

If Brooks doesn't run, it will be the first time in more than 30 years that the election for sheriff will include more than one candidate.

Cmdr. Geoff Dean, a Camarillo resident, said on Monday he has officially begun his campaign for the sheriff's post. He has hired a campaign manager and expects to make a formal announcement by the end of the month.

"I'm just excited to get moving," said Dean, 52. "We have a big year ahead of us."

Brooks has openly supported Chief Dep. Dennis Carpenter, 55, to succeed him. Carpenter, a 35year veteran of law enforcement, said he has not officially announced his candidacy but will likely do so in the next few weeks.

The race for sheriff is expected to cost $1 million. Dean said his goal is to raise $570,000—the maximum allowed for the campaign.

Dean, a former chief deputy, had been fired by Brooks in June 2008.

Dean returned to the sheriff's department as a commander in March, three months after the Ventura County Civil Service Commission Board ruled that Brooks' decision to fire the former chief deputy was "clearly excessive."

Dean contends his firing was politically motivated. Brooks denies the allegation.

Carpenter, 55, who headed the Thousand Oaks Police Department as a commander, was promoted by Brooks to the rank of chief deputy earlier this year.

Stayed tuned for next week's Acorn where we'll take a closer look at possible candidates for board of supervisors, tax assessor and district attorney.