FPPC looking into slow-growth group 

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The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating a local political organization for allegedly violating campaign reporting laws by masquerading as a local affiliate of the Democratic Party. The complaint was filed in October and the FPPC began its investigation in December. 

An organization calling itself San Benito Democrats for Slow Growth distributed several fliers in October 2024 that contained the logo of the Democratic Party. One of the fliers included endorsements for Roxanne Stephens in the race for Hollister mayor, and candidates Rudy Picha and Priscilla De Anda, who were challenging incumbent members of the Hollister City Council. It also endorsed Measure A, the county slow-growth initiative.

Meanwhile, the San Benito County Democratic Central Committee had issued a completely different set of endorsements. The committee, which is made up of members elected every four years by local Democratic voters, endorsed then-mayor Mia Casey in that race, and incumbent councilmembers Tim Burns and Rick Perez. It also called for a ‘No’ vote on Measure A. 

Jeanie Wallace, vice chair of the Democratic Central Committee, said the Slow Growth fliers were intentionally deceptive.

“This mailer, actually a series of them that were sent out during this election, were very concerning to us,” she said, “because it seems clear that the intent of the mailers was to deceive the Democratic voters.”

Maureen Nelson and Valerie Harmssen, whose names appear in the San Benito Democrats for Slow Growth organization committee form, did not respond to BenitoLink’s multiple requests for comment. The group’s website does not include names of other officers or members. 

According to financial statements, the group spent $14,000 on mailers and door hangers, which were paid for by loans from Nelson.

Sowing voter confusion

The flier clearly created confusion among residents. One resident posted on Nextdoor a photo of the flier by the San Benito Democrats for Slow Growth next to a flier by the San Benito County Democratic Central Committee that showed their conflicting endorsements. 

“Just a little confused!!!” the post read. “The San Benito Democrats are endorsing both candidates for Mayor and both candidates for City Council district 1?? Honestly I would just be happy if this crap propaganda would stop showing up in my mailbox. It’s a total waste of money and paper.”

Wallace said she talked to a lot of voters who were confused and angry.

“[A voter] was very angry at us because she thought that we were sending conflicting messages to her,” she said. “It took me a long time to explain to her what had happened.”

The wedge between the groups

Wallace said the San Benito Democrats for Slow Growth is not part of the central committee or a group of disgruntled former central committee members. She said it appears the driving goal of the new group is slowing residential and commercial development.

“The central committee itself hasn’t taken a position that is pro-growth,” she said. 

Wallace said at least 60% of its voting members are required to agree on a position before making an endorsement. In the case of Measure A, she said, there were various reasons why the committee voted to oppose it. 

Wallace said she believes the Democratic Central Committee and Democrats for Slow Growth share many values, including support for universal healthcare and protecting the environment, but she said she could not speak for them on their motivations for the fliers and positions in the election. 

“None of them came to the Central Committee and sought to join the local party and work on things prior to this,” she said. 

While San Benito Democrats for Slow Growth oppose the current pace of development, they endorsed 29th District Assembly member Robert Rivas, who favors residential building to address the housing shortage. He told Calmatters, a news outlet which covers statewide issues, housing will be a priority during this legislative session.

In 2022, Rivas authored AB 2234, aimed at streamlining the permitting process for developments. In 2021 he introduced AB 1324, aimed at incentivizing local jurisdictions to participate in a state program that would fund multifamily housing developments near public transit. The bill died in the Assembly.

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