Three Candidates Speak at SCRA Meeting – Kevin Crye Receives Endorsement
- Elisa Ballard
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Shasta County Board of Supervisors District 1 candidates Rich Gallardo, Erin Resner, and incumbent Kevin Crye addressed members of the Shasta County Republican Assembly (SCRA) on Thursday evening, April 2, at Shasta Bible College. Following their speeches and a question-and-answer session with an audience of approximately 40 people, SCRA members voted to endorse Kevin Crye for the June 2 primary election.
Each candidate was given 15 minutes to introduce themselves and explain their reasons for seeking the supervisor position, followed by audience questions. The SCRA, which describes itself as the conscience of the Republican Party—a title once bestowed by Ronald Reagan—adheres to Judeo-Christian values and the principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Rich Gallardo spoke first. A staunch constitutionalist and leader with the Shasta County Election Task Force, Gallardo recently helped lead a citizen petition drive that gathered more than 10,000 signatures for Measure B. The measure proposes 14 election reforms, including voter ID requirements. Despite initial resistance from the Board of Supervisors and County Counsel, who sued to block it, and a lawsuit filed by an activist against the initiative, the courts ultimately allowed the measure to appear on the June ballot.
Gallardo highlighted his involvement in local politics since the 2020 COVID lockdowns and mandates, including his role in the successful 2022 recall of Supervisor Leonard Moty. He criticized the erosion of bottom-up governance and expressed disappointment that the Board did not challenge state law AB 969, which banned hand-counting of ballots, after Shasta County planned to do so following a vote to get rid of the Dominion voting machines.
He outlined plans to cancel the county’s contract for surveillance cameras funded by the Zogg Fire settlement, reduce the use of closed sessions, extend public comment periods, and allow rebuttals. Gallardo said he would track citizen concerns on a spreadsheet and codify procedural improvements through a local ordinance. On mental health, he suggested giving resources to private companies with proven track records rather than to government agencies, asking, "Should the government take care of everybody?" On the proposed Alternative Custody Program Campus and proposed jail near a residential area, he said these are hard decisions to make and that maybe the campus should be located in areas near cows rather than residential neighborhoods.
Erin Resner, a current Redding City Council member serving the remainder of the term vacated by Michael Dacquisto due to health reasons (and previously serving from 2018 to 2022), spoke next. A mother of four and with her Husband, owner of eight Dutch Bros Coffee shops, Resner cited a culture of “nastiness” in local politics as a factor in her decision to run. She emphasized her love for Shasta County and her desire to address pressing issues with data-driven decisions.
Resner highlighted problems in District 1, including a “revolving door” justice system, inadequate mental health services, high rates of adverse childhood experiences, suicides, and challenges facing homeless veterans. She pledged to ensure the Sheriff and District Attorney have sufficient resources, conduct a county-wide efficiency study similar to one underway in the City of Redding, and collaborate with Sacramento and other rural counties.
Regarding the city’s budget deficit, she acknowledged that past pay raises were supported by market studies but criticized the City Manager's and Finance Director's unrealistic sales tax projections. Resner stated that she has already resigned from most of the nonprofit boards on which she has served (retaining only her church board position) and would not support pay raises for the Board of Supervisors. She expressed support for locked mental health facilities based on her experience in group home settings.
Kevin Crye spoke last, addressing the audience while wearing a chemo pump. He described his recent cancer treatments and heart attack as a wake-up call, emphasizing that “family is most important.” Crye reaffirmed his commitment to local control, self-governance, and fighting state overreach.
As supervisor, he cited accomplishments including helping make Shasta County a charter county, eliminating impact fees, designating the county as rural, appointing Clint Curtis as the Registrar of Voters, and auditing fees (13 of 15 reviewed by Controller Nolda Short were found incorrect). He pledged to continue annual fee audits.
Crye noted he is “putting his money where his mouth is” by starting the private high school Northbound Academy to address what he called a “whacked” education system. He also highlighted his ongoing efforts to establish a medical school in the area and his goals of securing federal funding for the Buenaventura Bridge (as an additional evacuation route for the Carr Fire area) while maintaining a balanced budget with greater departmental accountability.
Crye criticized the SEIU’s push for raises and touted his decision to hire County Counsel Joseph Larmour and CEO Dave Rickert, who have reduced staffing and improved productivity (noting that underperforming attorneys were forced out and that 80 positions were cut in HHSA). Crye also criticized a low-performing District Attorney’s office.
On the need for a new jail, he acknowledged second thoughts about turning down millions in funding due to high staffing costs, suggesting it might have been better to build it and staff it with less costly staff (correctional officers vs. Sheriff’s deputies).
Regarding Measure B, he initially opposed it as conflicting with state law but said he would support and defend it if voters pass it, and work with other supervisors to do the same.
On mental health, Crye pointed to the accomplishment of consolidating services in one location for easier access. He also plans to pursue future charter amendments to protect private property rights and allow voters to fill vacancies by election rather than appointment. Crye also stated he is the most accessible Supervisor, giving out his cell phone to anyone who wants it and holding regular coffee chats with constituents.
After hearing all three candidates, SCRA members voted to endorse incumbent Supervisor Kevin Crye for another term. The group also endorsed James Gallagher to complete the remainder of U.S. Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s term.
