Alameda County officials won't raise political fundraising limits

"This isn't about trying to put an unfair advantage on your ability to raise money, this is to provide the ability to be competitive."

"We're already quite above our neighbors and I would rather us focus on how we can create campaign finance reform and really create a level playing field so running for office and raising money is not a barrier to everyday people who have good ideas."

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted against advancing a proposal to raise individual campaign contribution caps from $20,000 to $40,000 for district offices and from $40,000 to $60,000 for countywide positions. Supervisors Nate Miley and Board President David Haubert proposed the increase to address rising campaign costs and to help candidates compete with unlimited independent expenditure committees. Alameda County imposed contribution limits in 2010 after a candidate received $1.7 million in family funding. Supervisors Lena Tam and Nikki Fortunato Bas opposed the increase, citing much lower caps in neighboring counties and advocating broader campaign finance reform. The League of Women Voters Alameda County Council formally protested the proposal.

Read at oaklandside.org