Avila to challenge Parraguirre for clerk

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002 | 9:30 a.m.

Incumbent Democrat Shirley Parraguirre will defend her post as county clerk -- overseeing the records for District and Family courts and the County Commission -- against Republican opponent Gil Avila

Parraguirre, a 62-year-old California native, defeated two contenders for her party's nomination, achieiving almost three-quarters of the vote. If elected, Parraguirre says she will implement an electronic filing program for complex litigation and transfer old files to microfilm before a move to a new office next year.

She defeated Sam Bledsoe, who switched from the Republican to Democratic Party, and Richard Lucci.

Avila, 66, a Republican political consultant, ran unopposed. He served as an assistant to former California Gov. George Deukmeijian and was special assistant to the California attorney general during the 1980s. If elected, Avila says he will be an advocate for improvements in county administration.

He and Parraguirre will face Natural Law Party candidate Christy Russell, 50, and Independent American Party candidate Dawn Pizzorno Hansen, 41.

In the county recorder race, Democrat Anita Springs will face Republican Frances "Fran" Deane, who defeated James Edwards.

Springs defeated fellow Democrats Bob Spencer and Wes McPherson.

In the assessor race, Republican Jonathan Galaviz will be up against Democrat M.W. Schofeld. Both were unopposed.