Michael Vargas Raises Nearly $19,000 for Elk Grove School Board Race as Democratic Officials, Unions Back Campaign
Although school board seats are non-partisan, party politics is always visible
ELK GROVE, Calif. — Michael Vargas, a candidate for the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education, raised nearly $19,000 during the latest campaign finance reporting period, drawing substantial financial support from labor unions, Democratic political organizations and elected officials.
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Vargas, who is seeking the district's Area 2 seat, reported receiving $18,975 between July 1 and Sept. 19, according to a California Form 460 campaign disclosure filed Sept. 24. His campaign reported $33,499 in contributions for the calendar year and had $39,610 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.
Among his most prominent financial supporters is Democratic Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen of Elk Grove, who made a $1,000 personal contribution on Sept. 4. Elk Grove City Councilmember Rod Brewer contributed $250, while a campaign committee associated with Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy contributed another $250.
Organized labor accounts for some of Vargas' largest contributions. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 340 political action committee contributed $5,000 during the reporting period, bringing its total contributions for 2026 to $5,500. Other contributors included Laborers Local 185 PAC and the Sacramento Building Trades Council PAC, each contributing $1,000.
The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento contributed another $1,000 during the period, bringing its reported 2026 total to $2,000. The Harry S. Truman Club also contributed $1,000. Other financial supporters included the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 PAC, Republic Services and the California Real Estate Political Action Committee.
Republican Kirk Thomson is challenging Vargas. Thomson's campaign suffered a significant political setback in September after Elk Grove News reported on social media posts he made that were considered offensive to people with disabilities.
After the controversy, several individuals and organizations withdrew their endorsements of Thomson, creating another challenge for his campaign.
Vargas' campaign reported spending $6,892 during the latest reporting period, including $2,842 for fundraising consulting, $1,750 in candidate filing and statement fees, and $1,200 for a fundraising event venue. The campaign reported $8,323 in expenditures for the year.
With voting underway ahead of the Nov. 3 election, Vargas enters the closing weeks with nearly $40,000 in available campaign funds.
Complete list of disclosed contributors
Contributor | Amount |
|---|---|
Tamar Nelson | $100 |
Mary Huttner | $100 |
Lexi Howard | $100 |
Dharia McGrew | $250 |
Paula Villescaz | $100 |
Kelly Wilkerson | $200 |
Jacqueline Wong | $100 |
Jeffrey Freitas | $100 |
Zachary Basler | $100 |
Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local No. 3 PAC | $250 |
Laborers Local 185 PAC | $1,000 |
Sacramento Building Trades Council PAC | $1,000 |
Joseph Wood | $250 |
Rebecca Burfield | $500 |
Nancy Chaires Espinoza | $100 |
Duke Cooney | $100 |
Carlos Marquez | $250 |
Juan Novello | $100 |
Dee Olivarez | $100 |
Mike Smith | $150 |
Dave Tamayo | $100 |
Jesus Tarango | $250 |
Alejandro Torres | $100 |
Paul Villaluz Weubbe | $100 |
Tiffany Woods | $100 |
Roderick Brewer | $250 |
Dennis Mangers | $250 |
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 340 PAC | $5,000 |
Mark McKibbin | $150 |
Patrick Kennedy for Supervisor 2026 | $250 |
Harry S. Truman Club | $1,000 |
Operating Engineers 3 District No. 80 PAC | $500 |
Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento | $1,000 |
Republic Services | $500 |
Sacramento Central Labor Council – COPE | $500 |
Peter Phong | $100 |
Stephanie Nguyen | $1,000 |
Mark Spotts | $100 |
California Real Estate Political Action Committee | $500 |
Greenberg Traurig | $250 |
Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 PAC | $1,000 |
