District 1 and District 5 Candidates Offer Contrasting Visions at Chamber of Commerce Forum
- Elisa Ballard
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
REDDING — Six candidates for Shasta County Board of Supervisors faced off Monday evening, April 27, 2026, in a fast-paced forum hosted by the Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce at the Sheraton Hotel. In front of a packed ballroom, candidates fielded business-focused questions with strict time limits: 90-second opening statements and 60-second answers, plus 30-second rebuttals.
Chamber President and CEO Todd Jones moderated the event, which emphasized creating a business-friendly climate in Shasta County. Audience members remained silent and compliant with the no-applause rule.
District 5 Race: Incumbent vs. Councilmember vs. Outsider
The first hour featured the District 5 contest between incumbent Supervisor Chris Kelstrom, Anderson City Councilmember Mike Gallagher, and political outsider Gary Oxley (retired registered nurse and business owner). This was their second major forum; they previously appeared together at a League of Women Voters event in Anderson on April 16.
Gary Oxley continued positioning himself as the values-driven outsider, stressing faith, family, and reduced government interference. He advocated for more cattle ranches and dairies, increased food production, and support for self-employed residents and ranching, which he said has declined sharply since the 1950s. On several issues, he called for a forensic audit of county spending and NGOs, and prioritizing law-abiding citizens over offenders.
Chris Kelstrom leaned heavily on his four-year record, highlighting collaboration with cities, fee reductions, personnel reforms, a balanced budget, and progress on public safety and resource management.
Mike Gallagher emphasized his local government experience as a former Planning Commissioner and current Anderson councilmember. He stressed workforce development, public safety, infrastructure, focusing on reducing domestic violence, and careful budgeting, warning of coming “stiff headwinds.”
Key contrasts emerged on several questions:
Inter-city cooperation: Kelstrom cited the Alternative Custody Program (ACP) land lease with Redding and a loan to Anderson. Gallagher noted regular city manager meetings. Oxley focused on expanding agriculture.
Attracting businesses: Kelstrom touted the elimination of impact fees and reductions in regulations under the County's control, stressing, though, that 99% of regulations come from the State. Gallagher warned against reckless fee cuts that could starve infrastructure funding. Oxley criticized red tape for Airbnbs and small businesses, pushing for a reduction in business personal property taxes.
Budget priorities and fiduciary duties: Kelstrom highlighted his record of bringing in “fiscal hawks,” line-item budget reviews, and cutting unfilled positions. Gallagher prioritized public safety and supporting other elected officials. Oxley pushed for a balanced budget, NGO outcome assessments, and an independent forensic audit for Child Protective Services.
Jail and ACP: All supported expanding capacity in principle, but differed on approach. Kelstrom and Gallagher backed Sheriff Johnson’s ACP plan but didn't take a definite stand on the facility's location, despite neighborhood opposition to the Eastside Road site. Oxley said he would not fund new beds until the jail’s drug problems (noted in a Grand Jury report) are resolved. He opposed the site selected for the ACP. Kelstrom had indicated that he tells people who complain about the location, "Find me a 90-acre property that we can have for $1." Oxley countered by saying, "Just because it's cheap doesn't make it right."
Sales tax for jail: Gallagher said yes (citing Anderson’s precedent). Kelstrom said it depends on voters. Oxley said no, arguing the Sheriff needs to clean up illicit drug use in the jail first, many inmates are from out of the area, and Sheriff salaries are too high.
Medical school at Simpson University: Kelstrom strongly supported it for economic impact ($700 million - $1 Billion over a 10-year period). Oxley backed the idea, but not with current county funds. Gallagher opposed subsidizing a private institution.
Fire mitigation: Oxley advocated for cutting property taxes for homeowners who harden their properties.
Closing Statements for the District 5 candidates reflected their core messages. Oxley emphasized faith and founding principles; Kelstrom pointed to ongoing work; Gallagher stressed experience and homework.
The District 1 candidates — incumbent Kevin Crye, Redding City Councilmember Erin Resner, and Richard Gallardo — delivered the sharper and more combative portion of the evening, with frequent rebuttals and direct clashes. This was the second time the District 1 candidates had appeared together in a candidate forum. Their first joint forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters on April 15, 2026.
On collaboration between cities, Crye touted the Alternative Custody Program land lease with Redding and the county loan to Anderson. Resner emphasized fire prevention partnerships as CalFire funding sunsets. Gallardo called for a joint powers authority and better coordination on crime.
Attracting and retaining businesses, Gallardo said, "the government needs to get out of the way” and reduce fees and regulations. Crye highlighted cheap power and water plus the potential economic boom of a medical school at Simpson University, which he said could bring $700 million to $1 billion over 10 years with zero tax dollars. Resner called for partnering with the EDC (the Shasta Economic Development Corporation) and Chamber and conducting an efficiency study, while expressing concern about planning and permitting delays.
On the top three fiduciary responsibilities, Crye said to prioritize public safety, metrics, and transparency, noting he led the change to put more scrutiny on the budget process, which now takes a full week instead of 15 minutes. Resner stressed gathering facts and following the law. She believes the DA's office is underfunded and stated that nine Deputy District Attorneys are about to leave. Gallardo called for exiting CalPERS, which he labeled a “Ponzi scheme,” and passing an ordinance to audit money given to NGOs.
In times of limited resources, Crye listed public safety, homelessness, and crime as top priorities and noted the need for a new jail, while saying we don't have the $160 million to build it, which is why he is in favor of the ACP. Resner said public safety is paramount, and she would not fund pet projects. Gallardo advocated across-the-board cuts.
Criminal justice bottlenecks saw Crye strongly defend the Alternative Custody Program and his hope to partner with Amity Foundation. Resner pointed to mental health issues in the jail and the need for collaboration. Gallardo blamed state laws, zero bail, and lenient judges.
On a ½% sales tax increase dedicated to a new jail, Gallardo said it would not be enough to build and operate one. Resner said it is not her job to propose taxes but to implement what voters approve. Crye stated he would not try to raise utility rates, as his opponent has recently tried to do, as a rebuttal against Resner’s claim that he previously said a sales tax increase would be necessary to build a new jail.
Top three goals for the next three years brought more clashes. Crye listed streamlining processes, the medical school, and a new Buenaventura bridge. Resner called for an efficiency study, fully funding the criminal justice system, and tackling the budget. Gallardo focused on exiting CalPERS, returning meetings to the public, and removing Flock license plate reader cameras.
Support for $10 million toward a medical school at Simpson University split the candidates. Crye was strongly in favor, citing public-private partnerships and long-term benefits for every resident. Both Resner and Gallardo opposed using taxpayer dollars to subsidize a private institution.
On the Alternative Custody Program and its proposed Eastside Road location, Crye said he supports Sheriff Johnson 100% and has held multiple conversations with River Ranch neighbors but now that attorneys are involved, they have stopped talking. Resner said she supports the sheriff’s project but wants more community input and information on its impact. Gallardo said he understands neighbors’ concerns.
Fire resiliency produced another pointed exchange. Crye noted Shasta County leads the state in fuel reduction. Resner called for better collaboration. Gallardo, a 18-year Cal Fire veteran, serving as a firefighter/EMT and engineer, shared firsthand experience. "When you are in a firestorm situation, it will not matter if you have a concrete roof and stucco, the home will still go up in flames, so you just have to get out of the way." Crye criticized the City of Redding for approving “The Peaks” subdivision with 275 homes in a high-fire area without a southern evacuation route. Resner defended the project as a fire buffer and said the county has failed to maintain roads.
In closing remarks, Crye highlighted his record as a fiscal conservative and the most accessible supervisor, giving out his cell phone number. Gallardo criticized spending on license plate readers and called for bottom-up government and a citizen-elected charter commission. Resner asked voters if they are comfortable with leaders who create division and mislead on budget issues.
Closing statements reflected core themes: Crye touted accessibility and results; Resner warned against division and misleading statements; Gallardo called for citizen-driven government. The Chamber videotaped the event and may be posting the video on their website: https://reddingchamber.com/
The June 2 primary will decide which candidates advance. The Chamber forum provided voters a clear business-oriented lens on the races, revealing both continuity from prior forums and fresh tensions on fiscal policy, public safety, and development priorities.
