Christianson narrows in on Brown funding after Dem mailers 

Carlyn Christianson has a powerful ally in the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party, one that’s legally able to sidestep personal campaign contribution limitations and that puts the candidate nearly neck and neck with her opponent in funding for the June SLO City Special Election.

According to Pat Harris, chair of the SLO County Democratic Party, the Democratic Central Committee spent just more than $4,100 on pamphlets supporting Christianson over opponent Paul Brown.

Prior to the committee’s help, Brown led Christianson with $15,915 in contributions and $11,137 in expenses through May 4. Christianson—who’s been officially endorsed by the local Democratic Party—took in $9,848 (including a $760 loan) and spent about $8,287 in the same period.

Candidate Don Hedrick has reported no expenditures or contributions through May 4.

The committee’s funding on the pamphlets exceeds the city’s $200 per election limit on personal campaign contributions. Harris said the funding is appropriate because it was from the party’s committee to support local candidates for public office, not an independent expenditure from the party itself.

Mail-in ballots for the special election are due by 8 p.m. on June 18. The next round of campaign contribution statements will be released June 6.