FPPC warns Brown

In a letter released last week, the California State Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) gave a “warning” to First District County Supervisor Valerie Brown for failing to include the mailing address of her campaign committee on a mass mailing sent as part of her re-election bid last June. Complaints about the mailing had been field by all three of the challengers: Will Pier, David Reber, and Lawrence Wiesner.
The mailer listed as its return address Brown’s office with the County, and its content did not mention the ongoing campaign at all, so that it appeared, but for the small-print “Paid for by Friends of Valerie Brown for Supervisor” disclaimer on the inside, to be an official mailing. Printed on the front of the mailing was the announcement, “Enclosed is your free prescription drug discount card.”
When interviewed, Valerie Brown stated that she believed the mailing complied with the rules set forth by the FPPC.  The fact that the FPPC is not proceeding with an investigation is further proof to her that her office was within the guidelines for mailings. “My opponents filed the complaint because they felt it was unfair campaigning,” said Brown.  “However, we thought we had followed all of the rules as anyone could have picked up and sent out the prescription drug discount card.”  Brown went on to state that she will heed the warning she’s been given to be sure this doesn’t happen again.