CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Northshore business owner and former District 3 Lake County Planning Commissioner Marvin Butler has announced his candidacy for county supervisor.

District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing, now in her second term, has announced she will not seek reelection next year.

“Lake County is facing many difficult and important challenges. I am seeking the office of county supervisor to provide the residents of District 3 with honest, dedicated and independent leadership to meet those challenges head on,” said Butler.

“Creating jobs and opportunities will be high priorities for me on the county board,” stated Butler.

He said he will use his business experience to expand tourism, support local agriculture and attract quality, environmentally-friendly employers to District 3.

Butler also plans to explore the opportunities and potential of the local colleges – Marymount, Mendocino College and Yuba College – to stimulate job creation and establish cutting-edge businesses. “I am committed to greater economic prosperity for District 3 and all of Lake County,” he said.

“Building a stronger local economy means protecting Clear Lake, our most precious economic and environmental resource” continued Butler. “As your new supervisor, I will work closely with our Northshore communities to protect the Lake’s fragile ecosystem from the quagga mussel. I’ll also be seeking greater public input and will engage multiple resources to help the county proactively address critical issues and projects such as lake algae, Lucerne water rate increases, the pending endangered species listing of Clear Lake Hitch, Walker Ridge Wind Farm and the Middle Creek Restoration project.”

Protecting public safety is another top priority of Butler’s. “On the county board, I’ll work hand in glove with our firefighting professionals to ensure the highest level of fire prevention service for Third District residents. And I will support an additional local sheriff’s substation to serve our Northshore communities.”

Butler said he’s looking forward to “an upbeat, engaging campaign and to personally connecting with District 3 residents and business owners.” He added, “I will work hard to represent you, your livelihood and your Lake County.”

Community leaders across District 3 have endorsed Butler’s candidacy.

“I’ve known Marvin for more than 15 years and he has always been an active community member with the community’s best interest at heart,” said Anne Garner, the owner of Eleven Roses Ranch and a fourth-generation Lake County resident.

Retired Lake County Redevelopment Agency Director Andrew Peterson called Butler “extremely knowledgeable on Northshore issues and thoroughly prepared to be a county supervisor.”

“Marvin is a leader who listens to people’s concerns and brings our communities together,” said Monica Rosenthal, who is serving as campaign chair for the Butler for Supervisor Committee. “He has the integrity, energy and independence to be an effective voice for the residents of District 3.”

A longtime resident of Clearlake Oaks and owner of the Garden Court Salon and Gift Shop in Nice, Butler served as the District 3 representative on the Lake County Planning Commission for five years. He was appointed as the planning commission’s delegate on updating the County Master Plan.

Butler is an active community leader, serving on the Upper Lake-Nice-Blue Lakes Area Plan Advisory Committee, the Lucerne-Glenhaven-Clearlake Oaks-Clear Lake Area Plan Committee and the redevelopment committees for the communities of Nice, Lucerne, Upper Lake and Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven. He also is a former member on the Lake County Fair Board of Directors.

A retired banker, Butler has two adult children.