Masry loses a third time to Audra Strickland

For the third time in just over four years, Assemblymember Audra Strickland beat out Newbury Park resident and high school teacher Ferial Masry for the 37th District seat.

Strickland captured 73,673 votes (51.5 percent), while Masry was about 4,000 votes behind with 69,646 (48.5 percent).

The 37th District includes parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Moorpark and Simi Valley.

"When I take a moment to think about it, I'm just really humbled that the people of the 37th District have chosen me to serve them for another two years," Strickland said.

Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) replaced her husband, Tony, as the 37th District Assembly member four years ago. Tony Strickland is in a dead heat with Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson in the race for 19th State Senate District. A winner may not be announced for several days.

Although she fell short again, Masry has made gains against Strickland. In 2006, Masry drew 43.6 percent of the vote, up from 41.1 percent in 2004. This year she captured 48.6 percent.

"I'm very proud because I proved what I said," Masry said. "If you work hard and if you have a vision, you really can overcome the districting and the money. At the same time, it makes me sad to see democracy be abused. (Audra Strickland) doesn't care about the voters."

Masry, who was born in Saudi Arabia and attended schools in Egypt, said she probably won't run again, although she made the same claim in 2004.

"After six years, I don't know," Masry said. "It's too exhausting."

Strickland said this year will prove to be a busy one.

"One of my top priorities is continuing to battle against the proposed prison hospital in (Camarillo)," Strickland said. "It's a priority of mine to make sure that's not a part of Ventura County's landscape."

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.

This is her last time in the assembly because of term limits.

"I think ultimately the negative campaign my opponent waged, which was funded by the L.A. Democrats, was unsuccessful because the people of my district saw through that," Strickland said.