SIMI VALLEY : Student Qualifies as Write-In Candidate

A 19-year-old Simi Valley college student who last month announced plans to run a write-in campaign for mayor has filed enough signatures to qualify as a candidate.

Michael Rodriguez, a political science major at Moorpark College, filed two dozen signatures that passed muster with election officials. Simi Valley requires write-in candidates to provide signatures of at least 20 registered voters.

As a write-in candidate, Rodriguez’s name will not appear on the ballot. Instead, his name will appear on a list of write-in candidates posted at polling places.

Rodriguez faces incumbent Mayor Greg Stratton, who is running otherwise unopposed for a fifth term.

“I see this race as a way of testing the waters,” Rodriguez said. “I’m learning all the ins and outs of running a campaign.”

Rodriguez, who works two part-time jobs as a bank teller and security guard, said he expects to spend about $200 of his own money on the campaign to pay for flyers and signs.

A former center for the Royal High School football team, Rodriguez has attended several games to pass out flyers and drum up support.

“I’m getting a lot of positive reaction,” Rodriguez said. “People are really happy to see that there’s more than one person to vote for for mayor.”