Simon says he won’t seek third supervisorial term
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The south county’s two-term supervisor said Tuesday that he does not intend to run for reelection in 2024.
Supervisor Moke Simon made the announcement at the end of the board’s Tuesday morning session, when board members were giving their calendar updates for the week.
After reporting on his plans and upcoming meetings, Simon paused and then said, “I don’t know if this is the place to do it but I’m just going to do it today.”
He said he had spoken with fellow board members and County Administrative Officer Susan Parker.
“I’m going to make an announcement that I am not going to be seeking a third term for the District 1 supervisor,” said Simon.
“It's the fourth quarter of my life and I’ve got some things I want to get done,” he said.
Simon noted that he’s been getting “peppered” with questions about his plans all over, and would be making phone calls and emails to follow up with those who had contacted him.
A Middletown native, Simon, 51, was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2017, succeeding Jim Comstock.
Since 2012, he has served as tribal chair of Middletown Rancheria and since 2019 has served on the State Board of Fire Services.
He was a Middletown High School and college football standout, attending Butte College — where he was inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame in 2018 — and Texas A&M University.
After college, he played professional football for teams including the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts. Today he continues to coach high school football at Middletown High.
When the Registrar of Voters Office provided Lake County News with an updated list of campaign filings this week, Simon had not submitted either a candidate intention statement or petition-in-lieu papers.
However, the nomination period when candidates have to file a declaration of candidacy form, nomination papers and pay the filing fee in order for their name to be on the March 2024 presidential primary ballot is still weeks away. That filing period runs from Nov. 13 through Dec. 8.
So far, Bren Boyd and Bryan Pritchard have both filed candidate intention statements and petition-in-lieu papers for the District 1 seat.
With Simon now bowing out and the District 1 seat open, it’s likely that more candidates will join the race.
A large field is already forming for the District 4 seat in 2024, after appointed incumbent Michael Green said he will not run for election. So far, Brad Rasmussen, Laura McAndrews Sammel, Scott Barnett and Chris Read have filed paperwork signaling their intentions to run to represent the Lakeport area.
Board Chair Jessica Pyska, representing District 5, has indicated she will seek a second term. Others joining the field to challenge her so far include Daniel “Boone” Bridges and Dennis Holtzinger III.
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