Mayoral hopeful returns campaign PAC and union donations

BRENTWOOD — Criticism over another candidate’s campaign contributions has led Brentwood mayoral candidate Karen Rarey to return donations from unions and a real estate political action committee.

Campaign disclosure records show Rarey has received $7,300 from eight unions and the California Real Estate PAC. But when local residents questioned one of her opponents for accepting $20,000 from a developer, she said she heard the message “loud and clear.”

Rarey said she would not be accepting money from developers, real estate groups or labor unions because of the “climate that is out there and the appearance of impropriety.”

“Residents were outraged and didn’t want the perception of impropriety in their future leaders,” she said. “I support the labor unions, and I was proud to receive the donations; I have two brothers who were lifetime tradesmen. But I don’t want the appearance of impropriety that would come by accepting the donations.”

Rarey said she had already deposited $3,600 and reissued checks while returning $3,700 in checks she had never cashed. Returned contributions came from IBEW Local 302 ($1,500), Operating Engineers Local No. 3 ($1,500), District Council 16 ($1,000), California Real Estate PAC ($1,000), Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 159, LiUNA Local ($750), Northern California Regional Carpenters Council ($500), Heat & Frost Insulators Local 16 ($750), and Elevators Constructors Local 8 ($100).

In total, according to her campaign disclosure forms, Rarey recorded some $22,816 in contributions, including $5,000 from her parents, and loans from her husband and herself as well as individual donations. Still, she said she thinks it is time for some changes in campaign rules.

“I do believe we need to have some type of campaign reform — a campaign limit,” Rarey said. “We need to look out to the residents and ask what is acceptable.”

Vice Mayor Bryant meanwhile topped the mayoral candidates with $38,800 in contributions, from a variety of local businesses, private individuals, a political action committee and a union. But it was the Sierra Pacific donation of $20,000 that he took heat on from some local voters because the owner, Albert Seeno, is also the applicant for the proposed Bridle Gate residential development, which the planning commission recently rejected.

Even so, Bryant said just because he accepts campaign contributions from a business or individual, doesn’t mean he will let that influence his decisions.

“When I receive these funds from anybody — local residents, businesses, commercial developers who want to come into town — it isn’t because they are trying to change or influence my decision; they are supporting people who have a track record of non-emotional decision-making.”

Bryant said that commercial developers, home builders and other businesses want to know that “there is an opportunity to go into a non-biased situation and present what they have to offer.”

“Businesses all watch the council and when they look at the individual council members or a mayor, they want to know if they have a track record of reasonable decisions, and if they do, they want to keep that opportunity,” he said.

As an example, Bryant pointed to his decision several years earlier against a developer that wanted to build a Walmart. Even though the developer had donated to his campaign, he said, “Walmart wasn’t good for Brentwood.” He also voted in favor of the Amber Lane Apartments, which Sierra Pacific was against, he noted.

“Whether you donated to me or not, my criteria is, ‘Is it good for Brentwood and does it follow the general plan?’ ” he said.

When asked if he would return any special interest monies, Bryant said the money had already been spent and it would send the wrong message.

“By giving it back, I would be saying this is going to influence me and it absolutely doesn’t,” he said.

The other mayoral candidates reported smaller contributions: Ryan Raimondi received $4,975 from individuals, businesses and others; Edward Schuck recorded $2,240 from individuals; Young $225 from individuals; while neither Paul LaFollette or Brian Carleton reported any contributions.