18 Apr Supervisor Candidates Funded by Unions, Law Enforcement

(Image courtesy of Contra Costa County via Bay City News)

By Aly Brown
Bay City News

Major campaign funders of the two frontrunners for the Contra Costa County’s District 5 Board of Supervisors seat are trade unions and law enforcement, campaign finance records show.

Coming out as the top two choices from the primary election, Mike Barbanica with 38.7% of the vote and Shanelle Scales-Preston with 35.07% will vie for position this November.

Barbanica, currently an Antioch City Council member, is the clear choice for law enforcement political action committees, while Scales-Preston of the Pittsburg City Council has won the favor of various labor and trade union PACs.

So far this year, Barbanica has raised and spent less than Scales-Preston. Barbanica’s most recently submitted 460 form — the main campaign disclosure report — was filed last month on March 8 and showed that he has received $33,288 in contributions with total expenditures being $57,042.49 this calendar year. Scales-Preston’s most recent 460 form filed on March 1 showed $51,164 in contributions with $86,491.47 in expenditures.

With housing cited as one of her priorities, Scales-Preston’s supporters include Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Candidate PAC; IBEW 302 Community Candidates PAC; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Local 549 PAC; Steamfitters Local 342 PAC; and United Association No. 159 Consumer Protection Fund Sponsored by Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 159.

“I firmly believe that a strong and vibrant community is the foundation for a prosperous and fulfilling life,” Scales-Preston states on her campaign website.

Along with housing, her other priorities include transportation, community empowerment, youth services, economic growth, public safety and environmental sustainability.

Barbanica, a retired police lieutenant, has received support from Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association PAC Small Contributor Committee; Richmond Police Officers Association PAC; Peace Officers Research Association of California PAC; Concord Police Association PAC; and the Re-Elect David Livingston Sheriff 2028 committee.

His priorities include addressing the homeless crisis and blight, ensuring public safety, supporting small businesses, and preserving open space.

“I am an ardent supporter of Contra Costa County’s Urban Limit Line, which limits massive development and preserves many of our beautiful hillsides, parks, trails, and open spaces that make where we live so enjoyable,” Barbanica states on his campaign website. “I support smart growth to protect our county’s natural beauty while working with developers responsibly.”

Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.