San Benito County may begin restricting financial contributions
given to candidates running for the Board of Supervisors before the
November 2004 election.
The Board considered the subject during Wednesday’s meeting;
Supervisor Ruth Kesler, who is running for re-election in November,
had placed the item on the agenda. She suggested contributions be
limited to $250 per donor.
San Benito County may begin restricting financial contributions given to candidates running for the Board of Supervisors before the November 2004 election.
The Board considered the subject during Wednesday’s meeting; Supervisor Ruth Kesler, who is running for re-election in November, had placed the item on the agenda. She suggested contributions be limited to $250 per donor.
“I think it would be a very good idea, but I’m only one person,” said Kesler, the District 2 authority previously elected in 2000. She collected $8,402 from contributors during her 2000 election campaign, according to Elections Office records.
Other Board members agreed with Kesler, including Supervisor Pat Loe – the most vocal supporter of the idea during the discussion. Chairman Richard Scagliotti also supported some type of restrictions; Supervisor Reb Monaco said he is not necessarily against it, but wanted more information; and Supervisor Bob Cruz, also running for re-election in 2004, remained neutral until he sees more information, he said.
The county has never restricted campaign donations for any of its elected positions; they include the five supervisors, sheriff, marshal, assessor, treasurer, superintendent of schools and the clerk, according to the Elections Office.
Likewise, the City of Hollister does not restrict campaign contributions beyond state regulations, which are enforced by the Fair Political Practices Commission, according to Deputy City Clerk Geri Johnson.
The Board requested that a potential ordinance affect only supervisors’ races.
“I think this is something that we need to seriously look into,” said Loe, who did not accept any donations during her 2002 campaign. She also motioned for the Board to consider including campaign committees under such an ordinance. “I would whole-heartedly want to move forward with this.”
The Board directed County Counsel Karen Forcum to research the subject – specifically to collect information from Santa Cruz County on its ordinance that restricts contributions. A public hearing on the matter was scheduled for the next meeting, Dec. 2. Santa Cruz County currently disallows contributions by one donor of more than $250.
The FPPC, meanwhile, mandates that local candidates report names of all donors giving $100 or more. It also prohibits candidates from spending campaign funds to support or deter other candidates’ campaigns, according to FPPC guidelines.
Monaco expressed concern over potential constraints in enforcing an ordinance. He suggested the county – during its upcoming research of surrounding communities’ campaign laws – also do an analysis of those counties’ enforcement policies.
Regardless of the upcoming legwork, Kesler said there is an urgent need for campaign finance restrictions.
“I think it’s now time,” she said.
Regarding the timing of her push for change, Kesler responded, “We have to start sometime.”
She is currently slated to run against Anthony Botelho, a former planning commissioner, and Anthony Freitas, a current planning commissioner, in the March primary. Botelho spoke during Wednesday’s public comment period and said his campaign would not accept donations of more than $99. Freitas could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
During the 2000 campaign, Kesler received several donations of more than $250, including $1,000 from Home Care, a union for nursing homes. So far during the current campaign, she has not raised money from contributors, she said.
In 2002, Monaco received donations of $850, $500 and $300 from local residents. While Cruz and Scagliotti both lent themselves money to support their most recent campaigns; Scagliotti has said he will not run for a fifth term in 2004.
