As California’s June 2 primary approaches, campaign finance disclosure statements for District 3 incumbent Merced County Supervisor Daron McDaniel and challenger Luis Lara show similar totals for monetary contributions and expenditures.
Through May 16, the McDaniel campaign has raised $96,954 in itemized contributions with $65,525 in payments made.
Records for Lara’s campaign show $91,177 in itemized contributions with $59,359 in expenditures. Contributions from individuals and businesses show similar averages per donor.
McDaniel campaign records show 146 individuals and businesses have contributed $86,305 for an average contribution of $591.
Similarly, Lara campaign records list $47,385 in itemized monetary contributions from 102 individuals and businesses for an average contribution of $465.
Among those contributing to McDaniel’s re-election are political action committees, including We Power California PG&E PAC, which contributed $450, Building Industry Association Greater Valley PAC, which contributed $5,000, California Poultry Federation State PAC ($1,500), Central Valley Council ($1,000), AT&T California Employee PAC ($1,500), and Cal Fire Local 2881 PAC ($1,500).
The Merced Hotel & Lodging Association also contributed $500 to the McDaniel campaign.
Political PACs have also made several contributions including Mendes for Supervisor 2026, which gave $1,000, Kevin McCarthy for Congress PAC ($2,500), Juan Alanis for Assembly PAC ($5,000), and John Duarte for Congress PAC ($1,000).
The Lara campaign also raised political campaign contributions including $5,000 from Phil Ting for Treasurer 2026, $5,000 from Soria for Senate 2026, and $5,000 from Adam Gray for Congress.
Atwater City Councilwoman Kalissa Rochester donated a total of $250.
Various labor union groups also made major contributions to the Lara campaign, including $5,000 from the United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund, $1,000 from Sheet Metal Workers Union 104, and $5,000 from the North Valley Labor Federation Committee on Political Education.
Professional associations and unions made up 13 unique donors to Lara’s campaign. Four political campaigns contributed, and four political action committees including those aligned with public safety organization are listed in the records.
Two law enforcement PACs are listed: Merced Police Officers Association PAC, which contributed $500, and California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC, which contributed $1,500.
Two labor union PACs are listed: North Coast States Regional Council of Carpenters Power PAC, which contributed $4,000 and Operators and Engineers Local Union 3 District 50 PAC, which contributed $2,500.
Other campaign donors included Bill Lyons, a Modesto rancher and former agricultural liaison to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who through his various business interests has helped finance Lara’s campaign with a total of $5,000.
Merced County political campaign contributions can be reviewed on the Merced County Elections Office website.