by Natalie Hanson
posted Oct. 21
Chico’s City Council races have become clearly divided between grassroots campaigns that rely on small donors and campaigns funded by wealthy outside interests.
Liberal-leaning candidates rely heavily on door-to-door canvassing and fundraising events. But meanwhile, the hefty financial advantage enjoyed by conservative-leaning candidates has helped drive a strong presence for them throughout the city, from campaign signs to advertising. Conservative-leaning and Republican candidates have long held access to some of the bigger wallets in the region, including in the last City Council race which brought about a 6-1 conservative majority.
This race is no different, according to filings with California’s Secretary of State that are made available through the City Clerk’s office. Former police Chief Mike O’Brien, running to replace Councilmember Sean Morgan in District 1, had raised more than $30,000 — more than any other of the candidates — by Sept. 21.
O’Brien and several other conservative candidates have reaped the benefits of deep-pocket donors as compared to candidates who depend heavily on donations that are often less than $100. In District 7, for example, the vast majority of more than 100 donors to candidate Bryce Goldstein gave $100 or less.
The conservatives also enjoy support from the political action committee (PAC) A Better Chico, which easily leads among PACs in fundraising. A Better Chico had raised more than $130,000, according to filings, on behalf of the candidates O’Brien, Deepika Tandon, Dale Bennett and Melissa Lopez-Mora, and had spent at least $52,000 by late September. Its money comes in part from agricultural and real estate interests.
Campaign disclosure forms help explain how O’Brien came to lead the conservative pack in fundraising. He received donations from Bill Brouhard, the Guillon-Brouhard builder who backed the Valley’s Edge planned community that was rejected by voters in a referendum. He received donations from local business interests involved in agriculture and construction like Stogan Group and Bill Webb Construction, and beyond Chico, real estate investing. He also received a donation from Dino Corbin of Deer Creek Broadcasting.
O’Brien also received $500 donations from Florida-based Legacy Communities and the Sacramento-based Western Manufactured Housing Communities PAC each. Legacy Communities owns Chico’s Pleasant Valley Mobile Estates that created turmoil earlier this year when it threatened to raise the rent on mobile home tenants by some 30%. A compromise increase was reached and the City Council majority voted against a rent stabilization measure.
While the issue was resolved with a 10% rent increase, District 3 candidate Monica McDaniel suggests that a larger or additional rent increase is likely on the horizon. The park is located in McDaniel’s district.
“The mayor and vice mayor called on behalf of the residents” after the residents turned up in large numbers at City Council meetings, McDaniel said. “They [Legacy] have their sights set on that mobile home park for the future,” she added.
Western Manufactured is a lobbying organization that represents the owners of mobile home parks throughout California, according to its website.
O’Brien has spent more than $15,000 on his campaign.
Incumbent District 3 Councilmember Bennett, an asset manager, had raised $23,250 in the race to keep his seat that also includes donations from Legacy Communities and the Western Manufactured Housing PAC.
Bennett received donations from Depa Real Estate broker Steve Depa, the Peace Officers Research Association of California PAC, the Chico Police Officers Association PAC, Gallagher for Assembly 2024 and the Kimmelshue For Supervisor campaign. Bennett had spent almost $9,000 by late September.
District 5 candidate Melissa Lopez-Mora raised $8,624, but had only spent about $1,600 campaigning by the time of her late September disclosure filing. The total includes $500 donations from Gallagher for Assembly 2024, Mayor Andrew Coolidge, Councilmember Thomas van Overbeek and the Peace Officers Research Association PAC.
And by late September, incumbent Councilmember Deepika Tandon’s contributions totaled $18,145 for her race to hold District 7. The donations came from Legacy, the Manufactured Housing PAC, various construction and real estate interests and some Chico business owners, as well as conservative-leaning colleagues on the Council and the Kimmelshue for Supervisor campaign. She had spent about $13,811 on the campaign, outspending opponent Goldstein.
Running grassroots
Goldstein had more than $20,000 in contributions by late September and had spent more than $13,000 on campaigning, focusing on issues like public infrastructure, addressing climate change, affordable housing and walkable neighborhoods.
Most of her donors contributed less than $100, but she did receive a few larger donations, including $500 from the Democratic Action Club of Chico.
In District 3, McDaniel had raised $16,811 and had spent more than $6,000 campaigning, with $500 donations coming from the Democratic club’s David Welch, the Stand Up for Chico PAC, former mayor Ann Schwab and Solano County District Supervisor Erin Hannigan. Audrey Denney, a former candidate for the congressional seat in District 1, donated $100.
City Council District 5 candidate Katie Hawley had more than $10,000 in contributions, including $500 from the Stand Up for Chico PAC and $300 from candidate Goldstein. She’s spent nearly $3,000 of it campaigning against opponent Lopez-Mora, and promotes her campaign as “grassroots” with many donations under $100.
District 1 challenger Mike Johnson has raised about $5,000 but had spent less than $2,000 of that amount. Johnson’s campaign has placed far fewer campaign signs around the city than has O’Brien’s. But he’s benefited from contributions from Chicoans who largely contributed less than $100 at a time, as well as $500 from Stand Up For Chico.
Goldstein told ChicoSol via email that she found it easy to raise funds, saying it feels good to be supported.
“I attribute the number of donors in part to my longstanding involvement in community causes like Butte Environmental Council, KZFR, and housing advocacy,” Goldstein said. “We’ve raised funds largely by hosting house party meet-and-greets, throwing fundraisers featuring live music, and calling on our neighbors and networks to spread the word. I hate having to ask for money, especially for politics, but we need it to get our message out there. Through grassroots support I’ve been able to out-raise my opponent,” she added.
Editor Leslie Layton contributed reporting to this story. Natalie Hanson is a contributing editor to ChicoSol.