Alameda County supervisors reject increase to campaign contribution limit

"Alameda County Supervisors David Haubert and Nate Miley proposed raising and in some circumstances, doubling the campaign contribution limits for county elections on Tuesday, but failed to find enough support from their colleagues amid public pushback. The change would have increased the contribution limit for an individual from $20,000 to $40,000 for district elections, and from $40,000 to $60,000 for countywide elections."

"The proposed new limits far exceeded the default limit in California and neighboring counties in the Bay Area. The default limit on campaign contributions for city and county races in California is $5,900; Contra Costa County's limit is $1,675, and the max contribution in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is a mere $1,000. Even in the governor's race, an individual can donate a maximum of $39,200 per election in both the primary and general election to a candidate under state law."

"However, opponents argued that if the increase was approved, it would allow special interests to exert undue influence over less wealthy candidates. "We know that money controls outcomes. And why else, when they have the highest (campaign funding allowances) in the entire Bay Area, why would they be trying to double it?" said Bob Britton, a representative for the nonprofit Interfaith Coalition for Justice in our Jails."

Alameda County Supervisors David Haubert and Nate Miley proposed raising and in some circumstances doubling campaign contribution limits for county elections, seeking to increase individual limits to $40,000 for district races and $60,000 for countywide contests. The proposal aimed to address rising campaign costs. Public pushback and insufficient board support blocked the campaign finance increase. Opponents warned the higher caps would enable special interests to exert undue influence and disadvantage less wealthy donors. The proposed caps far exceeded California’s default $5,900 limit and neighboring counties’ much lower maxima. The board agreed to consider a subsection permitting candidates to open multiple campaign committees at a future meeting.

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