Please join me in welcoming Erin Resner, Shasta County District 1 Shasta District 1 candidate, to A News Cafe as she answers a few questions about her campaign.
According to her campaign website, Resner was raised in the North State. She’s built her career here, and has spent years serving the community — including as a City Councilmember and as Mayor of Redding.
Resner writes: “With more than 15 years of business experience and a proven record of leadership, I understand that effective government requires accountability, collaboration, and steady decision-making. My commitment to Shasta County goes beyond public office — it’s reflected in my volunteer work, my role as a mother, and my hands-on approach to leadership. I believe our county deserves stability, transparency, and leadership that puts people first. I’m running because we’ve had enough of chaos and empty leadership — and it’s time to restore trust and build a Shasta County that is safe, responsible, and thriving for generations to come.”
DONI: Erin, thanks for taking the time to chat with me. Let’s get right to it. Rumors have swirled for days about the possibility that you might run against District 1 Supervisor Kevin Crye next year. We now know the rumors were true.
ERIN: Yes; while it was a rumor for just under a week, I’ve now launched my campaign. I’m running for Shasta County Board of Supervisors because this seat belongs to the people, and for too long it hasn’t been serving them. We’ve had enough of chaos, enough of wasted resources, and enough of leadership that forgets who it works for. This campaign is about restoring stability, accountability, and common sense. and giving our community its seat back.
DONI: You ran against Crye before and lost to him, but just barely. Crye fought a particularly dirty campaign last time. What’s your mindset going into this campaign? Is there anything you can impart in this campaign that you know now that you didn’t know then?
ERIN: I learned a lot in the last race and one of the biggest lessons was how effective misinformation and fear tactics can be when they go unchecked. I also saw how quickly good people pull back into apathy when they feel silenced or shouted down. The online culture we live in now, where everyone is suddenly an expert and feels emboldened to attack from behind a keyboard, was (and is) very real. And it works, especially when it’s fueled by anger instead of facts. What’s different this time is my resolve. I’m not scared. I’m not backing down. And I won’t allow anyone to twist the values I hold dear for political gain. Conservative leadership shouldn’t be buzzwords and taglines. Real conservatism is about protecting taxpayer dollars, limiting the reach of government, and actually listening to people, even when you don’t agree with them. A real patriot doesn’t weaponize faith or fear. A real patriot shows up, tells the truth, and serves the community with integrity. That’s the kind of leadership I’m bringing into this campaign.
DONI: Can you please discuss the issues of your campaign platform?
ERIN: I listed these on my website.
DONI: Can you describe your leadership style?
ERIN: My leadership style is steady, grounded, and collaborative, but not passive. I believe leadership starts with listening, especially to the people most affected by the decisions we make. I lead by doing the work, getting into the details, and building solutions that actually hold up in the real world. I’m not interested in grandstanding or governing through chaos. I believe in accountability, transparency, and follow-through. I set clear expectations, I respect expertise, and I’m not afraid to make hard calls when the situation demands it. But I also believe that trust is built when people know you’ll tell them the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. At the end of the day, my leadership is about service, not ego. Showing up, staying steady, and doing what’s right for the community, even when it’s not the loudest or easiest choice.
DONI: Speaking of making difficult choices, when was the moment when you decided to run against Crye?
ERIN: The moment I decided was when I learned Kurt was stepping down because of the toll this political climate was taking on his family. That hit me hard. Something in me just felt fired up and ready to battle for this community. Good, capable people should never be pushed out of leadership because the environment has become toxic. When public service starts costing families their peace, something is deeply wrong. I realized then that stepping aside wasn’t an option. If we want better leadership, people who care have to be willing to step forward, even when it’s hard. That’s why I’m running.
DONI: In the event you win the District 1 seat, what are some of the changes you’d like to implement?
ERIN: First, I will demand financial transparency from day one. Within the first budget cycle, I will call for a clear, public accounting of how agency funds are being used, where general fund gaps exist, and what our long-term obligations really are. No more masking deficits or shifting money to make the books look better. Second, I will push for immediate action on mental health and community safety. That means reopening discussions on previously rejected state funding, directing staff to bring back presentations on behavioral health and rehabilitation projects, and setting clear timelines for decisions. People in crisis need treatment options now, not another year of debate. Third, I will work with the District Attorney and Sheriff to assess staffing gaps and case backlogs and bring forward a concrete plan to strengthen prosecution. That includes prioritizing funding for qualified prosecutors, addressing retention issues, and focusing resources on repeat offenders so the revolving door of crime stops. Finally, I will work to reset the tone of the Board itself. fewer theatrics, clearer expectations, and a renewed focus on core responsibilities: public safety, justice, infrastructure, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
DONI: Erin, as you recall, Crye engaged in some dirty campaign tactics the last go round between you two, such as a mailer with photos of rats and roaches and false claims about your business. How are you preparing for the possibility that he may adopt the same kinds of campaign strategies?
ERIN: I’m realistic about what modern campaigns can look like, especially in an environment where fear and misinformation have been rewarded in the past. I’ve been through it once, so I’m not naïve about the tactics that might show up again. What’s different this time is preparation and resolve. We’re building a campaign that’s proactive, transparent, and grounded in direct communication with voters not reactive to distractions. When misinformation appears, we’ll address it with facts and move forward. There are real issues we need to address: public safety, mental health, justice for victims, and fiscal responsibility. because that’s what people actually care about. At the end of the day, I trust voters. I believe this community is ready for leadership that respects them enough to tell the truth and focus on solutions. That’s what I’ll stay committed to, regardless of the tactics used against me.
DONI: Obviously, you know what you’re up against. What else would you like the public to know?
ERIN: What I want people to know most is that this campaign isn’t about politics as usual. It’s about restoring trust in local government and returning this seat to the people it’s meant to serve. I’m not running to be loud. I’m running to be effective. To listen, to tell the truth, and to make decisions based on what’s best for this county, even when those decisions aren’t easy or popular. I believe deeply in conservative principles: protecting taxpayer dollars, limiting government overreach, supporting law enforcement, and taking care of the most vulnerable among us. But I also believe leadership requires empathy, humility, and courage. We’ve had enough of chaos, division, and empty leadership. This community deserves steady hands, clear priorities, and someone willing to show up and do the work.
DONI: Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. I’m including your campaign video, below.
Happy holidays to your and yours, and best of luck with your campaign.
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