COUNTYWIDE : Baggerly Will Join Sweeney Campaign

Environmental activist Russ Baggerly has decided to take an unpaid leave of absence from the staff of Ventura County Supervisor Maria VanderKolk to join the campaign of Democratic congressional candidate Kevin Sweeney.

“He brings a great mix of skills to the campaign,” Sweeney said in an announcement.

“He knows Ventura County very well. He knows county government very well. He is fluent in Spanish. And just as importantly, I know people will enjoy working with him.”

Sweeney is running against educational consultant Anita Perez Ferguson in the Democratic primary for the 23rd Congressional District that encompasses Carpinteria and all of Ventura County except Thousand Oaks.

The winner of the June 2 primary will challenge Rep. Elton Gallegly (R--Simi Valley) in the November election.

Sweeney said the county government will sometimes pay for the benefits of its managers who take a leave of absence.

But in this instance, Sweeney said Baggerly will repay the county for the costs of his benefits for the next three months, even though he qualifies as a manager.

“The point is that the county is not bearing the costs of this at all,” Sweeney said.

He said Baggerly’s campaign duties have yet to be determined.