Crude politics: Benicia mayor says Valero pumps barrels of cash into council race

by Katy St. Clair, Bay City News February 22, 2022February 18, 2022

Protesters march past a refinery on June 11, 2017, at the end of their walk from Benicia to oppose plans for transporting crude oil by rail. Refineries have long played a role in Benicia's politics, but Mayor Steve Young says money flowing from Valero into the upcoming City Council election goes too far. (Photo by Peg Hunter/Flickr)

A political action committee mostly backed by Valero Energy is poised to pump $232,000 into the upcoming Benicia City Council race, according to the PAC’s campaign disclosure statement.

Working Families for a Strong Benicia has contributed thousands to past races, including the 2020 mayoral race, in which the PAC donated $250,000 to try to defeat candidate Steve Young, who ended up defeating the PAC’s preferred candidate.

Continue reading for free

Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in.
Please visit My Account to manage your account.

Katy St. Clair, Bay City News

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.

More by Katy St. Clair, Bay City News