City Council Candidates – Camarillo

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

We will post the video when it becomes available.

  • More information for Camarillo voters:
    • (Camarillo Caller) 5 Camarillo City Council candidates answered the same 6 questions. Here’s where they differ.

Camarillo City Council, District 1 – Vote for (1)

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

David Tennessen (R) – Incumbent

  • Party: Republican
  • Age: 70
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education:
    • Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University
    • Master’s in Public Administration from California State University – Northridge
  • Employment and Experience:
    • Mayor and Camarillo City Councilmember
    • Former Chief Deputy for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
    • Former Chairman of the Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Club
  • Priorities:
    • Candidate Questionaire: (Camarillo Caller) “5 Camarillo City Council candidates answered the same 6 questions. Here’s where they differ” (Quick Comparison) (Complete responses)
    • Supporting Public Safety: Provide public safety professionals with the resources and support they need, while strengthening the community partnerships that make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
    • Addressing Homelessness: Work to secure available funding from the County and the State to create sustainable programs that address the root causes of homelessness and provide a pathway to stability for those in need.
    • A Bright Future for the Next Generation: Work to balance state housing mandates with the need to protect Camarillo’s community character and advocate for policies that make homeownership more attainable so the next generation can live, work, and raise their own families here.
    • Fiscal Responsibility: Support responsible budgeting, long-term financial planning, and keeping taxes low by maintaining fiscal discipline.
    • Infrastructure and Water: Prioritize investment in roads, utilities, and city facilities. Protect our primary water supply through the North Pleasant Valley Desalter and address the necessary replacement of our 68-year-old Water Reclamation Plant.
    • Community Engagement: Continue working to strengthen transparency, hold regular community conversations, and ensure that every neighborhood in Camarillo has a voice in decisions that affect them.
  • Contributions: $4,500
    • Top Contributors: VC Deputy Scheriff’s State PAC, David Tennessen
  • Links:
Ventura Co. Professional Firefighters
COMMUNITY LEADERS
– Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO 
– William Dundas, Dial Security CEO 
– David Smith, Former Camarillo City Council Member
– Mark Malloy, Former Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Manager
– Greg Totten, Retired Ventura County District Attorney
– Christine Cohen, Retired Ventura County Auditor Controller
– Bryan McDonald, Retired Oxnard PD Commander and Former Oxnard Council Member
– Monica McGrath, Retired Ventura County Undersheriff

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

Vishnu Patel (R) Registered Pharmacist No position

  • Party: Republican
  • Age: 65
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education: Master’s in Pharmacology
  • Employment and Experience: Pharmacy Manager at Ralphs Pharmacy, (camarilloacorn) Patel, who was a pharmacy manager when he ran four years ago, has remained involved locally and serves on the Ca­marillo Ranch Foundation board.
  • Priorities:
    • Providing support for local non-profit organizations including Camarillo Ranch, Camarillo Public Library, Pleasant Valley School District, and City of Camarillo community Programs.
    • Public Health and Safety
    • Fiscal Responsibility
    • Long-Term Financial Stability
    • Environmental Quality
    • Traffic Relief
    • City Cleanliness
  • More information: Patel says he immigrated from India, has lived in Camarillo for more than 36 years, and has worked as a pharmacy manager since 1992. He pledges to donate his council salary to local nonprofits and lists public health and safety, fiscal stability, environmental quality, traffic relief, and city cleanliness among his priorities.
  • Links:

Camarillo City Council, District 2 – Vote for (1)

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

Susan Santagelo (D) -City of Camarillo Councilmember/Nurse

CADEM
Julia Brownley
JACQUI IRWIN
Gene Talmadge
Ventura LAFCo Board Member
LianaCentral Coast Labor Council

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

Dan Gober (R) – Life Science Executive

  • Party: Republican
  • Age: 64
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education: BA Economics from Cal State University Long Beach
  • Employment and Experience:
    • Executive Director Biocom
    • Executive Sales and Business Development – multiple pharmaceutical companies
    • Los Angeles County Life Science Advisory Board
    • Former Church Elder and Chair at The Bridge Church
  • Priorities:
    • Candidate Questionaire: (Camarillo Caller) “5 Camarillo City Council candidates answered the same 6 questions. Here’s where they differ” (Quick Comparison) (Complete responses)
    • Homelessness and Safety in Old Town: Compassion and accountability, together – not one or the other. Coordinate with county agencies, nonprofits, and faith communities to connect people with real help. Keep Old Town’s streets and sidewalks safe for residents, shoppers and merchants.
    • Airport Noise: Engage directly with Ventura County and federal officials on flight patterns and noise mitigation. Make sure neighborhood concerns are formally represented in airport-related decisions.
    • Supporting Old Town Merchants: Cut unnecessary red tape that makes it harder to open, stay and grow. Champion Old Town as the commercial and cultural heart of Camarillo.
    • Smart, Careful Development: Require real traffic and infrastructure planning before projects break ground. Insist on genuine community input and respect for neighborhood character.
    • Attracting New Business and Good Jobs: Compete for high-wage jobs in growing industries like life science.
    • Quality of Life: Clean streets, safe neighborhoods, well-kept parks. Focus on practical, visible results residents can see and feel.
  • Contributions: $1,000
  • Links:
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
– Charlotte Craven, Camarillo Mayor Emeritus
– Hank Robles, Hank’s Barber Shop
– Jeff Walker, Twisted Oak
– Rick Heinick, Slam Bio
– Dave Cragoe, Cragoe Pest Control
– Nick Pantuso, NKP Funding
– Dan Poling, Danco Plumbing
– Jeff DeDomenico & Stetson Fitch, Build D3
– Larry Pender, Jubilee Honey
– Carlos & Michelle Reyes, Olas de Carlos Surf Grill
– Jim Cox, V. Cavanaugh Inc.
– Theresa & Ron McConville, Law Offices of Theresa L. McConville
– David Reel
– David Schlangen

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

Sylvia C. Garcia (D) – Nonprofit Director

  • Party: Democrat
  • Age: 49
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education: Attended University of California Santa Barbara
  • Employment and Experience:
    • Former Psychological Operations Specialist in U.S. Army
    • Member of Ventura County Behavioral Health Advisory Board
    • Non-profit director for Amazing Grace Connections
  • Priorities:
    • Candidate Questionaire: (Camarillo Caller) “5 Camarillo City Council candidates answered the same 6 questions. Here’s where they differ” (Quick Comparison) (Complete responses)
    • Building a Healthier, More Connected Community: Strengthening partnerships between the city, Ventura County, healthcare providers, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations. Supporting programs that promote mental wellness, prevention, resilience, and recovery for residents of all ages. Increasing awareness of local mental health resources and improving access to community services. Encouraging collaboration among public safety, healthcare, and behavioral health professionals to improve responses during mental health crises. Promoting community spaces, programs, and activities that reduce isolation, strengthen social connections, and foster a greater sense of belonging.
    • Police Community Relations: Building stronger partnerships between law enforcement, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and neighborhood organizations. Expanding community outreach and opportunities for positive engagement between residents and local deputies. Encouraging open communication, transparency, and respectful dialogue to strengthen public trust. Supporting collaborative approaches to mental health, youth engagement, and crime prevention. Ensuring every resident knows how to access City services, community resources, and opportunities to participate in local government.
    • Education and Youth Opportunities. Bringing books, mentors, creative programs, and safe learning spaces into the community to help children and teens build confidence, improve reading skills, and feel like they belong.
    • Zoning and Land Use: Responsible growth means meeting housing needs without abandoning good planning. It means protecting neighborhoods, preserving open space, using existing land wisely, and making sure development works for the people who already call Camarillo home.
  • Links:

Camarillo City Council, District 5 – Vote for (1)

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

Martha “Martita” Martinez-Bravo (D) – Incumbent

Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo (Democrat/Incumbent)

  • Age: 48
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education:
    • BS Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine School of Social Ecology
    • PsyD Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology
  • Employment and Experience:
    • Camarillo Vice Mayor and City Council Member
    • Executive Director, Friends of Fieldworkers
    • Executive Director, The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County
  • Priorities:
    • Candidate Questionaire: (Camarillo Caller) “5 Camarillo City Council candidates answered the same 6 questions. Here’s where they differ” (Quick Comparison) (Complete responses)
    • Water, Infrastructure & Partnerships: Protecting Camarillo’s water supply is essential to protect residents from rising imported water costs. Prioritizing responsible investments in our infrastructure, roads, utilities, and city facilities. Protecting local water rights and the desalter to reduce dependence on expensive imported state water. Replacing our aging Water Reclamation Plant. As the largest and most expensive capital project in our city’s history, this will require strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and state/federal funding. Continue to build strong relationships with state and federal leaders to secure funding that eases the burden on taxpayers while protecting our water security and infrastructure.
    • A Healthy Environment for All: Serving Camarillo means serving everyone who calls our city home. Regardless of district, background, political affiliation, or profession, every resident deserves to be heard and have their quality of life represented. Continue working to strengthen transparency, engage with residents across our city, and ensure every community has a voice in the decisions that affect them. That includes supporting a clean, healthy, and resilient environment as we address the impacts of climate change and plan responsibly for Camarillo’s future. Building a community where everyone can thrive today and for generations to come.
    • Compassionate Solutions: Community safety requires comprehensive solutions. Sustain and grow initiatives like Project HOPE, with the goal of helping Camarillo residents experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing and stable employment. By pairing nonprofit support, state funding, law enforcement, and dedicated social services, continue to support balanced, results-driven solutions that keep public spaces safe while providing meaningful, long-term pathways to stability for those in need.
    • Strengthening A Vibrant Local Economy: Local businesses and nonprofits are both essential to the strength and vitality of Camarillo’s economy. Continue to show up, support new and growing businesses, listen directly to the needs of local entrepreneurs, and recognize the important role nonprofits play in creating jobs, providing services, and contributing to our local economy. Continue building strong relationships across our business and nonprofit communities, strengthening collaboration, and connecting organizations with resources and opportunities. Create a vibrant local economy where businesses and nonprofits can grow, serve our community, and succeed.
    • Keep Camarillo Home: Provide all of our children with the opportunity to afford to live, work, and raise their families in Camarillo. Rising housing costs are making it increasingly difficult for the next generation to build their future here. Support responsible housing solutions that give young families and working people a chance to stay in Camarillo, while protecting the small-town character and quality of life that make our community special. That also means continuing the work of bringing high-paying, quality jobs to Camarillo so residents have more opportunities to build careers and support their families close to home. We should plan for growth thoughtfully, strengthen our local economy, and create more opportunities for the next generation to live, work, and build a future here, not somewhere else.
  • Links:
Julia BrownleySALUD CARBAJAL
JACQUI IRWIN
Central Coast Labor Council
COMMUNITY LEADERS
– Dr. Mark Lisagor, Past VCOE Board Director
– Dr. Angelica Ramsey, Former PVSD Superintendent
– Jordan Roberts, PVRPD Director, former,

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen

David Philip Schlangen (R) – Director, Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District

COMMUNITY LEADERS
– Charlotte Craven, Mayor Emeritus of Camarillo
– Mark Malloy, former Pleasant Valley Recreation & Parks District Director
– Mike Mishler, former Pleasant Valley Recreation & Parks District Director
– Dan & Gene Leong
– Phil & Betty Schlangen
– Chris Valenzuela
– Gail DeWolfe​
– David Reel

Top * District 1: Tennessen * Patel * District 2: Santangelo * Gober * Garcia * District 5: Martinez-Bravo * Schlangen