Here's where candidates stand on Shasta County District 2 supervisor's race issues

Voters who live within Shasta County's Board of Supervisors District 2 won't see any incumbents on the ballot during the March primary election.

All of the supervisor district boundaries were redrawn following the 2020 census, leaving incumbent Tim Garman's home outside his district. Rather than move to another home inside the new district boundaries, Garman decided not to seek reelection. While supervisors usually receive four-year terms, Garman was elected in 2022, after Leonard Moty was recalled from office.

So this year's primary election will not have an incumbent on the ballot, unlike in districts 3 and 4, where incumbents are seeking reelection.

Four candidates have qualified for the March 5 primary to represent a large area that takes in portions of southwest Redding and rural areas to the west, including Centerville, French Gulch, Platina, Shasta and Igo-Ono.

And Sloan says he's the only candidate endorsed by the Republican Party.

Here's a look at each of the candidates.

Susanne Baremore

In her candidates statement, Baremore said she grew up in rural Shasta County and wants to bring mutual respect back to local governance. She works as a representative for the California School Boards Association, regularly speaks at board of supervisors meetings and serves on the county elections commission.

"My immediate goals, if elected, include: stabilizing the county workforce, building a governance capable of mutual respect and informed decision-making, ensuring fiscal strength through uncertain state budgeting, supporting the reforms necessary to reduce crime and ensure effective justice locally, and working to reduce the devastation we continue to see due to unmitigated wildfire to our communities and natural resources," she said in a candidate statement.

On her campaign disclosure statements, Baremore listed $3,525 in donations from July 2023 until the end of the year. The contributions include an $800 loan from herself and $375 in nonmonetary contributions. The cash donations came in amounts ranging from $100 to $500, according to her election forms.

From Jan. 1, 2024 until Jan. 20 of this year, she raised $1,789, which included a $1,247 loan from herself, according to finance statements.

Laura Hobbs

Hobbs refers to herself as a doctor, due to her PhD in microbiology from the University of California, Riverside. She is not currently working in the field of microbiology, though. She says in her campaign literature that she is a stay-at-home mother.

She is direct about her political viewpoints, claiming in her campaign material as "100% MAGA and America first." Like former President Trump, she has also been a frequent critic of local and national elections. She has also spoken several times at board of supervisors meetings to point out the alleged fraud in the 2020 elections.

The board voted to take steps not to use vote-counting machines and instead hand-count ballots in the 2023 November election. Shasta was the only county in the state to do so.

Hobbs also supports the move to hand count election ballots instead of using machines. A state law, also passed last year, declared hand-counting illegal in California.

But Hobbs stands by hand counting.

"I support hand-counted, fair, and transparent elections. I will fight for the citizens of Shasta County to retain our sovereignty and all of our God-given rights. I believe in 'We the People' and self-governance at the local level by duly elected officials," Hobbs wrote in her candidate's statement.

At the end of 2023, Hobbs reported receiving $10,680 in contributions to her campaign, according to statements on file with the county elections department.

She reported receiving $5,500 from the Water Users Committee, a political action committee that has been mainly funded by Reverge Anselmo of Connecticut. She also reported receiving $3,500 from Kari Chilson, a property manager in Redding.

Allen Long

Allen Long, the only candidate among the four to reply to a list of questions, is a former Redding police officer who retired from the department as a lieutenant. In his campaign materials, he places public safety high as a priority.

He has a business degree from the University of California, Berkeley and also has experience in banking and as an adjunct professor at Shasta College. He is also a trustee for the Grant Elementary School District board of trustees.

He listed as his top priorities, if elected, law enforcement and public safety, wildfire prevention, fiscal responsibility and bringing back order to the county and board of supervisors.

"The board of supervisors must implement good governance in order to move the county forward. I will not lose sight of the importance of putting the needs of our citizens first, conducting myself with professionalism and listening to you. I will provide the access, transparency, and integrity that our county residents deserve," he said.

"We must support strong sheriff patrols throughout our entire county, a fully operational jail, and prosecutors equipped with the tools to be tough on crime. I will also work to prevent crime through a balanced approach ––ensuring Shasta County’s housing needs are met, improving mental health services, and leveraging every opportunity to strengthen our economy," he says on his website.

Long reported receiving $8,460 in contributions to his campaign in 2023; most of that was from a $7,500 loan from himself. He reported that he received a $1,500 contribution from the North Eastern Building Trades Council on Feb. 6 of this year. He also reported $1,000 donations this year from Eric Silberstein and Case Blanken, both from Redding.

Dan Sloan

Sloan lists several of his positions on his website, including his views on solving homelessness problems, the Second Amendment, crime, the Fountain Wind Project and issues in the Igo-Ono area.

He said he favors compassionate care for the homeless, but adds that "We as a community must clear out tent camps, vagrants, drug dealers and traffickers. Ignoring this social reality leads to crime and societal deterioration."

He wants to see a new jail built and says "we need to build more jails to house convicts and secure our neighborhoods." Regarding guns, he says he is a longtime gun owner and hunter and believes in "open carry" of guns, according to his website.

Sloan lists his occupation as Undergraduate Business Department chair and the Master of Business Administration Program director at Simpson University. He also works "on behalf of" the U.S. State Department.

Sloan did not list any cash or loan contributions in 2023, but did list $1,820 in non-monetary contributions to his campaign from himself, according to his campaign finance statements. His statements also said that in 2023 he had $6,592 in unpaid bills as part of his $8,412 in expenses.

From Jan. 1, 2024 to Jan. 20, 2024, Sloan reported receiving $6,010 in contributions, with $5,500, the largest amount, coming from the Redding Rancheria.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Here's where candidates stand on District 2 supervisor's race issues