Several political races in Ventura County will be decided on Tues., June 8.

If you’re a political junkie, this is the first primary election in years—maybe forever—that’s really interesting on a local level.

We’re not just talking about the race for the 2nd District Ventura County supervisor between Linda Parks and Audra Strickland, although that contest is already intriguing because it boils down to an established incumbent, Parks, facing a soonto-be former Assembly member, Strickland. Although the seat is nonpartisan, the campaign is as partisan as you can get. Both are registered Republicans, but from entirely different worlds. Parks is a moderate, Strickland a conservative.

Voters are rarely interested in obscure political offices, but this year there’s a real contest brewing between Jim Dantona and Mark Lunn. Both are running for county clerkrecorder.

Lunn is no stranger to residents of Thousand Oaks because he serves on the planning commission. He’s a retired California Highway Patrol chief.

Dantona is a businessman who previously ran against Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy. Lunn is chief of staff for Foy, so both candidates have extra incentive to win.

That race, like the one between Strickland and Parks, is getting contentious. See story on page 1.

There’s a rivalry, too, between the two candidates for Ventura County sheriff. It’s the first time in 32 years Ventura County has had a race for sheriff, and although Dennis Carpenter and Geoff Dean have been comrades in law enforcement, right now they’re both fighting for votes.

If you aren’t already registered to vote, now is the time. Mon., May 24 is the last day to register if you want to vote in the June 8 primary election.

Forms are available at fire stations, libraries, post offices and chambers of commerce.