Bruce Thomas Peter Foy’s once-clear path to another four years on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors met a hurdle last week with the introduction of a serious challenger.

Moorpark school board member Bruce Thomas filed his papers March 12, saying that East County residents deserve more attention from their representative.

“I just think residents need a choice, and somebody focused fulltime on the district to make sure we do things efficiently and effectively,” he said.

Thomas, 61, a retired U.S. Marine, is a certified financial adviser and owner of Bruce J. Thomas CFP in Westlake Village. He and his wife, Heidi, a public school teacher, have lived in Moorpark since 1988.

Thomas ran against two incumbents for a seat on the Moorpark City Council in 2004 and vied for a seat in the state Assembly in 2002 as a Democratic candidate against Republican Tony Strickland. Both campaigns ended unsuccessfully.

Thomas was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Moorpark Unified School Board in March 2006 and ran unopposed in the election later that year.

He said he should represent the 4th District, which includes Moorpark, Simi Valley and surrounding unincorporated areas, because he has experience getting groups of people to work together, and that’s what Ventura County needs—to help itself.

“The supervisor needs to be an advocate for all citizens in the district and there are many opportunities for collaboration between the county, cities and school district to help public agencies deal with budget shortages,” Thomas said.

While the other four supervisors were concentrating on helping their districts, Thomas said, Foy was busy founding the California chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a group that supports smaller government and that organized tax protest tea parties throughout the nation last year.

Foy also contemplated running for state commissioner and governor.

Meanwhile, information posted on Foy’s website hasn’t been updated since 2009, the challenger added.

“Those are indicators to me that he’s engaged somewhere else, but these times demand somebody who is focused on the district to open lines of communication between public agencies,” said Thomas, adding he has no interest in higher office.

While offering a first-rate education, Moorpark Unified School District maintained the lowest per capita costs for administration in Ventura County according to a recent grand jury report, Thomas said.

“I have a good track record of being fiscally prudent with regards to administrative expenses and I will bring the same philosophy to county government.”

Thomas said he’s seen firsthand as a trustee how partisan gridlock and personal political ambitions can impact progress in government.

“I can do a better job being an advocate for the whole district, providing hard-working, focused leadership you can trust.”

Thomas, who served 20 years in the Marine Corps, is involved with the Moorpark Boys & Girls Club, American Legion and the Rotary Club. The father of three has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in economics.

Simi resident Jim Dantona, who lost by 800 votes against Foy in the 2006 election, said he respects Thomas’ decision to run.

“I think he’ll put on a formidable race,” Dantona said, adding that Thomas has “earned his stripes” in the military and on the board of education.

Dantona is running for the position of county clerk-recorder in the June primaries against Mark Lunn, Foy’s chief of staff.

Foy said he welcomes the competition in his race.

“My ideas and track record prove I can create and manage a fiscally strong county,” he said. “Those are the policies the public wants to see as we continue to face deficits. In a troubled economy, people are looking for a candidate who can ensure that their taxpayer dollars are protected.”

Foy said he’s been working hard to ensure that residents in both cities and unincorporated areas have access to their supervisor and county services.

The election is June 8.