Assembly candidate wants state to get back on track
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Bob Larkin

Bob Larkin, a former Ventura County Republican chairman and local businessman, said he wants to go to Sacramento to try to address some of the state's most serious problems.

Larkin is challenging Audra Strickland (R-Moorpark) in the June 6 primary election to represent the 37th Assembly District. The winner will run against Democratic candidate Ferial Masry in November.

"We're on the edge of going over the edge," Larkin said. The state hasn't built a highway in 20 years and illegal immigration is out of control, said Larkin, who's also concerned about deficits, failing schools and collapsing levees.

Larkin said he's running for the Assembly because he has the experience, the maturity and the integrity to make things better.

"My objective is to get people to focus on what needs to be done and put some maturity in the legislature, which is very young," Larkin said. Incumbents are about 35 to 40 years old on average and most of them are former staff people who got voted in, he said.

"Something must be done if our children and grandchildren are to have a future in California," said Larkin, who has never held political office.

In 1966, California had the best of everything but now everything is failing, Larkin said, adding elected officials in the mid '60s were part-time legislators who didn't have time to waste on useless legislation.

If elected, Larkin plans to address the major problems in the state as opposed to what he termed small special interest concerns. "You have to raise a stink."

Larkin, 70, has owned a State Farm insurance agency in Simi Valley for 38 years. He lives in Westlake Village with his wife, Donna. He is an Air Force veteran who later graduated from Moorpark College with an associate of arts degree in political science.

When not working or involved in Republican politics, Larkin and his wife enjoy golf, bicycling, hiking and visiting their six children and five grandchildren..

He said he believes the Assembly needs a Republican leader who will honor the core values and principles of the party.

Larkin said another reason he got into the race was in reaction to his opponent's endorsement of Democrat Jim Dantona. Dantona is running against incumbent Judy Mikels to represent Simi Valley and Moorpark on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. Larkin also says he is bothered by incumbent Strickland's campaign fund practices.