Masry challenges Strickland again

Audra Strickland Although Assemblymember Audra Strickland has defeated her twice before, Democrat Ferial Masry is back to fight for a spot as the representative of the 37th District.

Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) replaced her husband as the 37th District Assembly member four years ago and wants to secure her post for her last allowable term. The district includes parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.

"The first time I ran, it was a learning experience," Masry said. "I was surrounded by all these people trying to help. Now you start being on your own. You grow up as a candidate. There is more depth to my issues, more understanding. And it's a great opportunity to see the district, speak with people and really understand them."

Masry was born and raised in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, until age 10, when her family moved to Egypt for its schools. Masry graduated from college in Cairo and moved to the United States with her husband in 1979. She received her teaching credential and a master's degree from California Lutheran University.

Ferial Masry Masry teaches government and history in Los Angeles Unified School District. She has three grown children, one of whom recently returned from a tour in Iraq.

Before being elected in 2004, Strickland taught junior high school students American history and language arts. She lives in Moorpark with her husband, state Senate candidate Tony Strickland, and their daughter and son.

Strickland serves on the health committee, and the arts, entertainment, sports, tourism and Internet media committee. She also is a member of the labor and employment committee.

"Unemployment is at an alltime high, and the foreclosure rates are high—people can't afford to give more money to the government," Strickland said. "(Masry) has supported tax increases, saying Californians can afford it."

Strickland said changing the state's economic climate for businesses is part of the answer to fixing job scarcity.

"We need to be making sure that California is a place that's inviting to businesses, where there are low taxes, low fees and where government process is streamlined for business owners," she said. "I think that's what we need to do in the Legislature this year—bring jobs to California. As we struggle through tough economic times, food prices are high, a lot of folks have lost retirement money and unemployment is the highest it's been in 12 years; we need to be looking at what we can do to allow people to keep more of their money," Strickland said.

Masry said Strickland is "spreading fear" about taxes.

"I am also concerned about what's going on and about the impact on healthcare and the impact on businesses," Masry said. "As a former business owner, I am sad to see how businesses are paying a lot. There is no money for education, and a lot of taxpayers have no idea how much we are paying for prisons and how much is going to the kids."

Masry said her No. 1 concern is education.

"As I teacher, I see the problems in our schools," she said. "And with my background of being in different countries, I have the opportunity to really think outside the box. I've been taught in the American system, and I teach in the American system. It's given me a lot of insight. The biggest thing I want to see is education reform, a shift back to making education our priority.

"It hurts me to see we are importing nurses from foreign countries, engineers from other countries. Why are we failing? To me, that's unacceptable. "

Masry said her intent since the beginning was to work across the aisle, and she doesn't think Strickland works well with anyone.

"My opponent is very stringent in working with anybody," Masry said. "I wonder where the hostility is coming from. I don't see her doing anything benefiting our district. My opponent had the office handed to her. She doesn't understand this district; she doesn't hold a job. She and her husband were always a part of the Sacramento crowd. All the issues, they don't relate to in real life."

But Strickland said she's heavily influenced by her constituents.

"The majority of my ideas for bills come from (the people)," Strickland said. "People from my district say, 'There should be a law about this.' I'm pleased to be their advocate. I've worked extensively with Democrats to pass legislation, independent of parties. That's something I'm proud of."

At a recent forum in Simi Valley, candidates clashed on Proposition 11, which would appoint a commission to handle redistricting.

"I'm opposing Proposition 11, although I should be in support," said Masry, saying so because she's a Democrat running in a largely Republican district. "I believe in democracy. I believe in the process.

"Like they say, it's the devil in the details," Masry added, indicating the proposition isn't well written.

Strickland disagreed, suggesting that new district boundaries would promote compromise on issues like the state budget.