BIG WINNER—Simi Valley Police Chief Mike Lewis, left, congratulates friend Geoff Dean on his early lead over Dennis Carpenter late Tuesday evening at Dean’s election night party. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Geoff Dean will be Ventura County’s next sheriff.

As of June 9, Dean was ahead of Dennis Carpenter, receiving 59.53 percent—or 59,063 votes—in an election that pit the two longtime lawmen against one another in a race that was at times contentious and one of the most talked about in the county.

Carpenter received 39.74 percent, or 39,429 votes. “I’m very proud of the campaign we’ve run,” said Dean during an election night party in Camarillo with nearly 300 supporters in attendance. “It’s extremely rewarding, and it’s all because of the team we had that helped us get the word out in Ventura County.”

Carpenter took the news in stride.

“Obviously we’re disappointed, but I’m excited about what the future holds for me,” the chief deputy said.

He wouldn’t comment on whether he plans to retire after more than 30 years with the department.

“I’m going to take a few days off and discuss that with my wife,” he said.

Carpenter said what he most enjoyed about the campaign was meeting residents throughout the county.

“It gives you a much better appreciation for the people we serve.”

Dean, 53, a commander with the sheriff’s department, will replace Sheriff Bob Brooks, who will retire after his third term in office and 36 years in law enforcement.

Brooks backed Chief Dep. Carpenter and, in the months leading up to Election Day, had openly criticized Dean for a 2008 incident that led Brooks to fire Dean.

That decision was later overturned by the Ventura County Civil Service Commission. The board ruled that Brooks’ decision to fire the former chief deputy was “clearly excessive.”

Soon after, Dean announced his candidacy and set into motion the first contested sheriff’s race in more than 30 years. When asked if he felt vindicated, Dean said he was focused on the job to come.

“I’ve just tried to put all that behind me. I’m just happy that the voters supported and believed in us,” Dean said.

He had the support of the deputies union and the backing of police chiefs from the five cities not under the sheriff’s jurisdiction, while Carpenter, 55, was endorsed by Brooks and the department’s command staff.

Throughout their campaigns, both candidates denied rumors that they would retaliate against those within the department who backed their opponent.

The department’s four chief deputies, known as the executive staff, are chosen by the sheriff. The three other existing chief deputies supported Carpenter.

Simi Valley Police Chief Mike Lewis, who has known Dean for 34 years since they both started as new deputies at the sheriff’s department, said he’s thrilled for his friend.

“As it sunk in I became very excited about the prospects of where regional law enforcement is going to go in Ventura County with his involvement,” Lewis said. “The sheriff really is the highest law enforcement officer in any given county, so really all the other agency executives look to the sheriff to lead or to facilitate discussions, bring us all together, and that hasn’t been in place for a number of years.”

Lewis said Dean was a good choice for Simi because he has promised not to close the East Valley Jail.

“Geoff has gone on record to say he will not close the East Valley Jail, or he’ll make it the absolute last thing he’ll do if he has to balance his budget,” the police chief said.

Lewis said Simi officers would have to drive a lot farther if the jail was closed , which could mean losing an officerfor four hours to commute there and back and go through booking process.

Dean said it may take as long as six months before he names an undersheriff, the department’s second in command.

Politics aside, Dean will be faced with multiple challenges in the coming year after he takes over as sheriff.

The state budget crunch and the sluggish economy will force the department to trim its $225-million budget. Pension reform will likely be a hot topic in the near future, as will the impact of the state’s overcrowded prison system in Ventura County.

Dean said his plans for the day after the election were more modest than tackling a budget or overseeing nearly 1,200 employees.

“I plan to mow my lawn and spend time with my family,” said Dean, who lives in Camarillo with his wife of 23 years, Marlene. They have two children, Lindsey, 20, and Andy, 17.

The sheriff’s office has no term limits. The last contested race for the seat was in 1974. Al Jalaty won election that year. He was succeeded by John Gillespie in 1984. Larry Carpenter, no relation to Dennis Carpenter, took over as sheriff in 1992 and held the post until Brooks was elected in 1998.