Supervisor Candidate in San Luis Obispo County Criticized for “Hobo” Fundraiser
Lynn Compton, Supervisorial candidate for San Luis Obispo County’s fourth district, has recently seen her share of criticism during her campaign. Not only is she facing heat for failing to disclose a donation on her campaign statements, a recent fundraiser has also been the source of criticism for the board of supervisor hopeful.
Guests to the fundraiser are encouraged to come in “hobo attire,” and can participate in a “hobo stew” competition. Proceeds go to the nonprofit Oceano Depot Association, an organization created to preserve the Oceano Train Depot and other San Luis Obispo County historical landmarks.
The fundraiser first came to the attention of the public and press when Kathie Matsuyama, treasurer for Compton’s opponent, Supervisor Caren Ray, sent out an email blast criticizing the event for its “disgusting lack of compassion for a segment of our county’s population which Lynn Compton is supposedly campaigning to represent.”
Compton issued a statement saying the fundraiser was a “fun event,” and that the Depot had help similar events for years. She continued to say that the event was focused on the railroad and has no bearing on the plight of the homeless in the county. She also advised her opponent to “lighten up.”
In addition to the fundraiser controversy, it has also been reported that Compton has received a warning letter from the Fair Political Practice Commission for failing to report the value of the use of a vehicle and trailer which she used as a mobile billboard for her campaign.
Read more about the fundraiser here.
