WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers IN THE SPOTLIGHT- Simi resident Jim Dantona, center, and an old friend, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Maryland lieutenant governor and oldest daughter of Robert Kennedy, chat with supporter John Kelleher at the Dantona campaign kickoff party in Simi Valley Oct. 18. Dantona is running for California's District 19 Senate seat against fellow Democrat Hannah Beth-Jackson of Santa Barbara and Republican Tony Strickland of Moorpark.