Supervisors remove proposed increase to campaign contribution limits after public pushback

Alameda County supervisors on Sept. 9 debated an ordinance that would have raised campaign contribution limits for supervisor races (the proposal would have doubled limits from $20,000 to $40,000). The board heard more than a dozen public commentators — many opposed — and held an extended internal debate about inflation, incumbent advantages, independent expenditures and alternatives such as public financing.

Supervisor Miley, the ordinance’s sponsor, argued the cost of campaigning has risen since 2010 and cited higher mail and digital costs, asserting a higher limit would help candidates be competitive against independent-expenditure committees. “If you can only raise $1,000 you have to reach a bunch of different billionaires,” he said during debate.

Opponents — including multiple public speakers and Supervisor Fortunato Bass in remarks — said Alameda County’s current limits were already high compared with neighboring counties and raising them would tilt the field toward wealthy donors and political action committees. A number of speakers urged instead to pursue public financing or keep stricter limits.

Given the split, the board voted to remove the section of the ordinance that would have raised the contribution cap and proceeded with first reading of the remaining ordinance language (chiefly to conform county rules to state law allowing multiple campaign committees/accounts). That amended ordinance passed first reading and will return for a second reading and final vote at a later meeting.

The board recorded the votes on the amendment and the first reading; Supervisor Fortunato Bass recorded an abstention on the first-reading vote. County Counsel explained that removing the contribution-limit section now means the board will rehear and consider a clean ordinance for second reading.