Election Endorsements

On Tuesday Ventura County voters will choose a new Superior Court judge and county assessor and decide whether to replace two members of the Board of Supervisors, the county superintendent of schools and the auditor-controller.

Here is a recap of The Times’ endorsements:

* SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE--Both Chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Kevin McGee and Deputy Public Defender Gary Windom have impressive qualifications. Because about three-fourths of Ventura County’s current Superior Court judges are former prosecutors and we believe the public would be better served by a wider range of perspectives on the bench, The Times endorses Gary Windom.

* SUPERVISOR, 2nd DISTRICT--Incumbent Frank Schillo has done a good job, most notably by challenging county bureaucracies to work more efficiently and by offering innovative if sometimes farfetched ideas for solving tough problems. The Times endorses Frank Schillo for another term.

* SUPERVISOR, 4th DISTRICT--Incumbent Judy Mikels has made her mark by emphasizing regional concerns and by demanding accountability from county departments. The Times endorses Judy Mikels for four more years.

* COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT--Incumbent Charles Weis has worked out most of his public disputes with the philosophically divided school board and good things are happening in our schools. His challenger offers no dramatically different ideas or programs. The Times endorses Charles Weis for another term.

* COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER--Businessman Stephen Maulhardt offers a fresh perspective and an energetic alternative to incumbent Tom Mahon, 75, who has worked in the department since 1970. He promises to be more aggressive in auditing county agencies and updating the office’s technology and procedures. The Times endorses Stephen Maulhardt.

* COUNTY ASSESSOR--Of the seven candidates vying for this job, only one has what we believe is the necessary combination of public and private-sector experience, fresh vision and enthusiasm for the job. The Times endorses Dan Goodwin.