Editor's note: This story is one in a series on the Nov. 3 general election. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/news/elections.
In the at-large race for the Simi Valley mayor, incumbent Dee Dee Cavanaugh will face off with four challengers: communications consultant Robert Clarizio, Broadway producer Wayne Hampton Holland III, school board trustee Kareem Jubran and City Council member Mike Judge.
Cavanaugh was first elected to the City Council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and 2024; council members unanimously appointed her to the role of mayor in 2025 after Fred Thomas died.
The Star asked the candidates to answer a brief questionnaire. Their responses may be edited for length and clarity. City Council races are nonpartisan, but we asked candidates and checked
public voter rolls to include party registration information.
Early voting begins Oct. 5, the same day election officials plan to start mailing ballots to registered voters. Ventura County's vote center locations will open Oct. 24.
Dee Dee Cavanaugh
Age: 66
Occupation: Senior vice president and regional administrator at Banc of California
Education: High school diploma from Royal High School
Military service: None
Political experience: Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District director 2010 to 2016; Simi Valley City Council member 2016 to 2025; Simi Valley mayor 2025 to present
Campaign website: deedee4mayor.com
Party registration: Republican
What is your top priority as mayor, and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority as mayor is making sure Simi Valley remains the kind of community families are proud to call home. My parents moved our family here because it was a safe, welcoming place to raise children, and it's why I chose to raise my daughter here as well. Today, I want future generations to have those same opportunities.
To accomplish that, I'll continue supporting our police officers, firefighters and first responders, investing in our roads, parks and public facilities, and creating an environment where local businesses can succeed. Just as importantly, I'll stay accessible, listen to residents and make decisions that put Simi Valley first.
My goal is simple: protect the quality of life we enjoy today while building an even stronger future for the next generation.
How do you intend to attract more jobs to the city?
Creating good-paying jobs in Simi Valley is one of my top priorities. We have a talented workforce, a great quality of life and a location that makes us attractive to growing industries. As biotech and life sciences continue to expand in our region, I see an opportunity to bring in businesses that support companies like Amgen and create high-quality jobs for local residents.
I also want to continue growing our film industry presence. Simi Valley has been a popular filming location for years, and there is still tremendous potential to attract more productions and the businesses that support them.
My focus is on bringing more opportunities closer to home so residents can live, work and build their careers right here in Simi Valley. A strong local economy supports our businesses, strengthens city services and helps preserve the quality of life we all value.
Robert Clarizio
Age: 59
Occupation: Communications consultant
Education: High school diploma from Simi Valley High School
Military service: None
Political experience: None
Campaign website: None
Party registration: Republican
What is your top priority as mayor, and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority is to understand and assess why so many unwanted, unnecessary projects are and have been happening in the community and very little requested or needed projects.
How do you intend to attract more jobs to the city?
I intend to create jobs in the education industry by improving school systems. Simi has been below the national average in education for over a decade and at its lowest point the past five years.
Wayne Hampton Holland III
Age: 35
Occupation: Broadway producer and financier
Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul University
Military service: None
Political experience: None
Campaign website: None
Party registration: No party preference
What is your top priority as mayor, and how do you intend to accomplish it?
Of my three priorities — wildfire safety, the arts and financial literacy — the first is most urgent. Simi Valley's hillsides put homes at risk every season. My priority is targeted brush clearance using grazing goats, the same method that has protected the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for years. I would work with the fire district and the county to map our highest-risk corridors, contract herds and build firebreaks between the brush and our neighborhoods. It's proven, affordable, and it works.
How do you intend to attract more jobs to the city?
I intend to attract more jobs by building on strengths we already have. Our theatre and our school arts programs bring people and spending into the city. Through my Broadway relationships, I intend to expand those programs and launch a new works program — a pipeline for developing original plays and musicals here, before they go anywhere else. New works mean workshops, rehearsals and runs, which mean designers, technicians, musicians and crew working in Simi Valley and audiences filling our restaurants and hotels while they do. And financial literacy training for our students means the next generation is ready to build and run businesses of their own.
Kareem Jubran
Age: 41
Occupation: Construction engineering project executive
Education: Master’s degree in civil engineering from University of Southern California
Military service: None
Political experience: Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education trustee 2018 to present
Campaign website: kareem4simi.com
Party registration: Democrat
What is your top priority as mayor, and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority as mayor is ensuring Simi Valley remains a great place to live, work and raise a family. That starts with a strong economy, safe neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure and responsible financial management. I will focus on economic development, supporting public safety, investing in critical infrastructure and emergency preparedness and ensuring city government is responsive and accountable.
Success requires collaboration. I will bring together the city, school district, parks district, first responders, nonprofits, businesses and residents to address challenges, identify opportunities and build consensus around practical solutions. By working together, we can preserve our quality of life, strengthen our economy and create opportunities for the next generation.
How do you intend to attract more jobs to the city?
Creating more local jobs starts with making Simi Valley a great place to invest and do business. I will support responsible economic development, streamline city processes and partner with local employers to encourage expansion and attract new businesses. I want to focus on growing industries that provide quality careers, including technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and skilled trades. We should invest in infrastructure, support workforce development programs and strengthen partnerships with schools, colleges and employers to prepare residents for high-demand careers. By fostering a business friendly environment while maintaining our high quality of life, we can create more opportunities for residents to live and work in Simi Valley.
Mike Judge
Age: 63
Occupation: Retired police officer
Education: High school diploma from Simi Valley High School
Military service: U.S. Army from 1981 to 1985; California Army National Guard from 1985 to 1996
Political experience: Simi Valley City Council member from 2010 to present; Chair Ventura County Transportation Committee chair in 2025; Southern California Association of Governments’ Transportation Committee chair in 2026
Campaign website: judgementsv.com
Party registration: Republican
What is your top priority as mayor, and how do you intend to accomplish it?
My top priority is preserving Simi Valley’s safety and quality of life while preparing the city for responsible, sustainable growth.
I will accomplish this by strengthening public safety through close coordination with the police department, fire agencies, schools and neighborhood groups; maintaining streets, drainage and other infrastructure; managing development carefully, emphasizing housing that fits existing neighborhoods, protects open space and does not overwhelm roads, schools or public services; improving traffic by pursuing practical roadway upgrades, safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists and better transit options; protect fiscal stability by balancing the budget, seeking outside funding, supporting local businesses and avoiding commitments the city cannot sustain; and keep residents involved through accessible meetings, neighborhood outreach and measurable goals with regular progress reports.
My standard is simple: Every major decision should make Simi Valley safer, financially stronger and a better place to live for current residents and the next generation.
How do you intend to attract more jobs to the city?
As mayor, I will pursue a focused economic-development plan built around Simi Valley’s strengths: its skilled workforce, transportation access, quality of life and proximity to Los Angeles.
My priorities would be attracting high-paying industries like aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology; making it easier to open and expand businesses by reinstating an ombudsperson to guide companies through permits, zoning, inspections and incentives and setting clear timelines and reducing unnecessary delays; offering targeted incentives by using tax rebates, expedited permitting, infrastructure assistance and fee reductions for employers that bring quality jobs, invest locally and hire Simi Valley residents; and developing a business identity and marketing Simi as a family friendly place to live and a practical place to operate.
The goal is not simply to attract any jobs. It is to bring in stable, well-paying employers while protecting neighborhoods and preserving the qualities that make Simi an attractive place to live.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism. The foundation plays no role in story selection. The Star retains full editorial control.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Meet the Simi Valley candidates for mayor | election
