Chula Vista mayor's campaign acknowledges violating city contribution ordinance
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann’s campaign violated a city ordinance by collecting general election contributions before the primary was held, according to the campaign’s treasurer, who said the violation was unintentional.
The ordinance in question, Chula Vista Municipal Code 2.52.045(C), was part of an overhaul of existing municipal codes that were updated by the City Council on Sept. 9, 2025. It prohibits candidates from soliciting or accepting general election contributions before the primary has been held.
Briana Bilbray, who serves as treasurer for McCann’s reelection committee, confirmed the violation Thursday in an email and said refunds have begun - as required under city code.
“The campaign initially raised funds under the previous ordinance, which permitted these contributions,” Bilbray said. “I failed to note the ordinance change effective October 23, 2025, which now prohibits them. My office discovered this oversight in late April and began issuing refunds on May 1. I remedied the issue as soon as it was identified.”
Bilbray said the contributions “were accounted for separately, were never spent, and the refunds will be reflected in the campaign’s next report.”
The next filing deadline for Form 460 reports will be May 21, and will cover the period between April 19 through May 16, according to the Fair Political Practice Commission.
McCann participated in debate over the ordinance during the September 2025 City Council meeting. He voted no along with then-Councilmember Cesar Fernandez, who now serves as Deputy Mayor. The ordinance's second reading was on Sept. 23, 2025, and came into effect 30 days after on Oct. 23, 2025.
Since the effective date of the ordinance on Oct. 23, 2025, campaign finance records show there have been 33 violations by the McCann campaign where donations were accepted for both the primary and general elections.
The general election contributions total roughly $40,000 across both Form 460s before any refunds. Bilbray did not respond to follow-up questions about specific totals for general election contributions or refund amounts.
John Hoy, a spokesperson for McCann’s campaign, deferred all questions about fundraising to Bilbray.
Hoy described the mayor as being supported by "a broad coalition of local firefighters, police, small businesses, veterans, and community members who want experienced, independent leadership focused on public safety, fiscal responsibility, and protecting our neighborhoods."
"In contrast, his opponent has not received one personal donation from a Chula Vista resident and instead relies entirely on special interests for funding and coordination of campaign expenditures," Hoy said in an email Thursday.
Across both Form 460 filings and other campaign contribution reports as of May 15, McCann’s campaign has collected more than $200,000 since launching in mid-2025. Form 460 filings show an ending cash balance of $97,078 and $30,505 in outstanding debts heading into the June 2 primary. Of the monetary contributions logged across both Form 460 filings, 169 came from outside Chula Vista, compared to 39 donations from within the city.
Outside donors include several political action committees, real estate interests, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and the Republican Party of San Diego County. Donors from within Chula Vista include residents, the Chula Vista Police Officer's Association PAC and the Chula Vista Firefighter's PAC.
Francisco Tamayo, a Chula Vista Elementary School District board trustee and one of three mayoral primary candidates, has a campaign finance picture that looks markedly different. His only Form 460 filing shows no contributions received and no money spent.
Tamayo said he entered the race two hours before the deadline and that his campaign does not see a need for primary fundraising at the moment. He said they have one fundraiser planned before the end of the primary cycle.
“Once I start fundraising, I will be able to match dollar to dollar what (McCann) has,” Tamayo said. “I am running as a mayor for working families, that will be part of my core. Labor unions will be, too, along with the everyday citizen here in Chula Vista. I’m going to be taking those $20, $25 donations while McCann is mainly supported by developers.”
He said he plans to seek support from a coalition of residents, labor unions and the Democratic Party of San Diego County.
Yair Gersten, an administrative analyst for San Diego County and the third candidate in the mayoral primary, has raised $5,382 total - nearly all of it from his own pocket. His single Form 460 filing shows five itemized contributions totaling $5,307, plus $75 in unitemized donations, with the bulk of the money coming from Gersten himself across multiple self-contributions. The only outside donor on record is Victor Gersten, who contributed $111.
"I entered this race without an established political fundraising network," he said, adding that his campaign would pursue small-dollar donations, online fundraising and community outreach going forward.
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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 5:19 AM.