Controversy Erupts Over Redding's 2025 Mayoral Selection
- Rex Ballard
- Dec 12, 2025
- 2 min read
Amid Transparency Concerns and Past Scandals
The City of Redding's recent leadership transition has sparked significant debate, highlighting deep-seated divisions within the City Council and broader community tensions over governance and influence.
On December 3, 2025, the Redding City Council convened to appoint new leaders following the conclusion of Mayor Jack Munns' one-year term. In a 4-1 vote, council member Mike Littau, a local insurance agent, was selected as the new mayor. Dr. Paul Dhanuka was named vice mayor, and Erin Resner was appointed mayor pro tempore. The process, which extended over 45 minutes, devolved into heated arguments about the proper method for selecting the mayor, underscoring ongoing fractures among council members.
Councilmember, Tenessa Audette, cast the lone dissenting vote, advocating for a selection order based on the most recent election vote counts. Under her proposal, the lineup would have prioritized Dhanuka, followed by Resner and then Littau. Audette voiced fears that Littau's appointment could marginalize her perspective on the council, particularly in light of recent disputes over financial transparency. She had previously questioned the accuracy of a city budget report, prompting the council to unanimously approve the formation of a new financial oversight committee during the same meeting.
The controversy intensified in the days following the vote when anonymous social media accounts resurfaced details from a 2019 California Department of Insurance investigation into Littau's insurance agency. The probe revealed that agents under his supervision had fraudulently altered client profiles to secure unauthorized discounts, resulting in over $60,000 in losses for the insurer. As a resolution, Littau received a restricted license, though he was not personally accused of wrongdoing or knowledge of the actions. He has attributed the incident to insufficient auditing practices at the time and noted no subsequent issues. Littau has characterized the renewed attention as a politically motivated smear campaign exploiting his elevation to mayor.
This episode reflects wider political undercurrents in Redding, including criticisms of perceived influence from the prominent Bethel Church megachurch. Although Littau does not regularly attend Bethel, he has received endorsements from and campaigned with groups and candidates affiliated with the church, fueling concerns among some residents about external sway over local decision-making.
Redding operates under a council-manager government structure, where the mayor's role is largely ceremonial and procedural. Responsibilities are limited to presiding over council meetings, setting agendas, and representing the city at public events, with no executive authority over day-to-day operations.
As of December 11, no formal challenges or further developments have been reported, but the selection has prompted renewed calls for procedural reforms to ensure equitable leadership rotations. City officials have not made any public statements regarding the selection process.
References
Redding council moves towards implementing financial oversight committee – Shasta Scout. https://shastascout.org/redding-council-moves-towards-implementing-financial-oversight-committee/
Redding mayor clears the air around resurfaced 2019 fraud investigation – KRCR. https://krcrtv.com/news/local/redding-mayor-clears-the-air-around-resurfaced-2019-fraud-investigation
Our new mayor Mike Littau has a restricted license with the state of California Insurance Board... – Facebook Group Post. https://www.facebook.com/groups/redding.crime.and.community.alert.1.0/posts/2553139438406119/
Mike Littau and his Insurance License Status – Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/Redding/comments/1gm0hcz/mike_littau_and_his_insurance_license_status/
Does anyone know who all the Bethel affiliated candidates... – Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/Redding/comments/1g2i3k5/does_anyone_know_who_all_the_bethel_affiliated/
Elections 2022: Some Say Bethel And City Council Politics Don't Mix... – Shasta Scout. https://shastascout.org/elections-2022-some-say-bethel-and-city-council-politics-dont-mix-heres-why/
