Your guide to the SLO County District 4 supervisor race
Two candidates — Democrat Jimmy Paulding and Republican Adam Verdin — are running for a seat on San Luis Obispo County’s Board of Supervisors.
Paulding, the one-term incumbent, is trying to keep his spot on the board, while Verdin, a political newcomer and longtime local business owner, is aiming to replace him as the District 4 supervisor.
The race has grown contentious after Paulding alleged that Verdin violated campaign finance rules and filed a formal complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission in February.
Verdin denied the accusation, calling the allegation a smear campaign against him. Ultimately, the FPPC dismissed Paulding’s complaint after finding no wrongdoing.
Verdin has since accused a coalition of inserting “dark money” into the District 4 race after it spent thousands to support Paulding without initially naming any of its contributors.
On Wednesday, the SLO County District Attorney’s Office sent a notice expressing “serious concern” that the same committee had misclassified itself — and threatened to file charges. However, the group asserted that it had done nothing wrong.
Paulding meanwhile asserts he is not affiliated with the coalition.
The primary election will be held on June 2.
Here’s what to know about the race for District 4:
Where is the district?
San Luis Obispo County’s Fourth District spans from southern coastal communities to far eastern areas of the county.
The district includes Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Halcyon, Huasna, Edna Valley, the California Valley and other unincorporated portions of San Luis Obispo.
Who are the candidates?
Paulding grew up in Arroyo Grande and graduated from Cal Poly. He served four years on the Arroyo Grande City Council and was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022, taking office in January 2023.
He’s currently serving as board chair and sits on several regional boards, including the Air Pollution Control District, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, the Regional Transit Authority, the Integrated Waste Management Authority and the Behavioral Health Board.
Over the past three years, he’s focused on public safety, emergency preparedness, water security, climate resilience and housing initiatives.
Verdin is the co-owner of Old Juan’s Cantina in Oceano, a family business his parents founded more than 40 years ago, according to the restaurant’s website.
The community leader works as a chief pilot at MarcAir, a private charter airline service in San Luis Obispo, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also sits on multiple boards of directors, including Parks California, the South County Chambers of Commerce, 5Cities Homeless Coalition and Jack’s Helping Hand, a nonprofit that supports children with cancer.
Verdin plans to prioritize public safety, infrastructure and affordable housing for families.
Who is funding the race?
Verdin has raised just over $253,000 as of April 18, according to campaign finance records.
Some of his largest contributions are from SLO County developer Covelop Inc. which donated $5,900 to Verdin’s primary election campaign and $5,900 to his general election campaign, adding up to $11,800 in total — and sparking Paulding’s FPPC complaint.
In San Luis Obispo County, donations to electoral campaigns from individuals, businesses and committees are capped at $5,900 per election.
Verdin has also received $5,900 from the San Luis Obispo Cattlemen’s Association’s Political Action Committee, Covelop broker Patrick Arnold, NKT Commercial owner Kathy Tompkins, First Capital Bank manager Thomas Anderson and several other South County residents.
Paulding has received nearly $361,000 in campaign contributions as of April 18, finance documents showed.
Decktech Inc. general contractor Ron McKenna donated $5,900, as well as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ political action committee and retired Nipomo resident Carla Haynie.
Trial lawyer Don Ernst and the Central Coast Construction Trades both gave $5,000 to Paulding’s campaign.
Who else is supporting the candidates?
Paulding has received endorsements from Central Coast Congressmen Jimmy Panetta and Salud Carbajal and SLO County Assemblymembers Dawn Addis and Gregg Hart.
San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart and Supervisors Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Bruce Gibson have endorsed Paulding, as well as several city council members across the county and a long list of community members.
Verdin has earned endorsements from dozens of community members, along with the SLO County Cattlemen’s Association and Pismo Beach Mayor Ed Waage.
Previous Tribune coverage on the District 4 supervisor race
- SLO County supervisor candidate accuses group of pushing ‘dark money’ into race
- Is group supporting SLO County supervisor breaking law? DA warns of ‘serious concern’
- SLO County supervisor says housing group could sway District 4 race. Will it?
- SLO County supervisor, challenger clash over campaign donations
- Commission dismisses SLO County supervisor’s campaign donation complaint
- Local business owner announces run for SLO County supervisor
- SLO County supervisor announces run for reelection
