Sonoma County, CA — August 4, 2026 — Supervisorial candidate Joanna Paun is calling on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to reject a proposed ordinance that would increase campaign contribution limits for candidates seeking offices with six-year election cycles, including the offices of District Attorney and Sheriff. This change would move Sonoma County away from its longstanding commitment to fair, equitable, and accessible elections.

At a time when Sonoma County continues to emphasize equity, inclusion, civic engagement, and representative government through its Strategic Plan and Racial Equity initiatives, increasing campaign contribution limits sends the wrong message. Rather than expanding opportunities for community members to seek public office, the proposal risks making successful campaigns more dependent on access to wealth and established donor networks than on broad grassroots support.

Healthy democracies depend on competitive elections where qualified candidates from all backgrounds have a meaningful opportunity to serve. When contribution limits increase, the advantage shifts toward candidates with established fundraising networks, creating higher barriers for first-time candidates, young leaders, working-class community leaders, and individuals from historically underrepresented communities. Equity in local elections means ensuring that public service remains accessible regardless of a candidate's personal wealth or fundraising connections. Raising contribution limits risks widening that gap, reducing political competition, and discouraging diverse voices from seeking office.

The proposal also raises an important question of fairness across county offices. Because the ordinance would apply only to offices with six-year election cycles, candidates for Sheriff and District Attorney would operate under different campaign finance rules than candidates seeking other county offices. The Board should carefully consider whether creating different contribution limits for different offices is consistent with Sonoma County's longstanding commitment to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity in local elections. Public confidence is strengthened when campaign finance rules are applied consistently and when all candidates compete on as level a playing field as possible. If Sonoma County is committed to equity, inclusion, and representative leadership, then our campaign finance policies should reflect those same values. Public office should remain attainable for members of our community, not just for those with access to the wealthiest fundraising networks.

I urge the Board of Supervisors to choose a campaign finance system that prioritizes public trust, expands opportunities for community leaders from every background to seek office, and keeps local elections accessible, competitive, transparent, and equitable for everyone.

Community members are encouraged to attend the August 4 Board of Supervisors meeting, participate in public comment, and urge the Board to preserve Sonoma County's longstanding commitment to fair campaign finance practices and equal access to public office.
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