Electing a Strong Economy
The Lodi Chamber Political Action Committee is the organized, nonpartisan voice of Lodi-area business at the ballot box.
Decisions made at City Hall, San Joaquin County, and the State Capitol affect the cost of doing business here. Taxes, regulation, infrastructure, public safety, workforce, housing, and permitting all trace back to who holds office. The Lodi Chamber PAC gives the business community a lawful, transparent way to take part in that choice. We evaluate every candidate and every measure on one question only: will this help or hurt Lodi-area businesses?
WHAT THE PAC DOES
The PAC carries out its mission through four activities:
Candidate Endorsements. We publicly endorse candidates for City, County, and statewide office whose records and positions support a strong business climate.
Candidate Support and Opposition. We finance efforts to support endorsed candidates, or to oppose candidates whose positions would clearly harm local employers, within California contribution limits.
Ballot Measure Positions. We take positions on local and statewide ballot measures, such as tax, bond, regulatory, or infrastructure measures, that materially affect the business community.
Voter Education. We help the business community understand where candidates and measures stand on the issues that drive Lodi-area economic opportunity.
What the PAC does not do: it does not contribute to federal candidates, does not support political parties or partisan slates, does not coordinate improperly with campaigns, and never draws on the Chamber's general treasury.
HOW WE DECIDE
Every qualified candidate in a race gets the same opportunity: the same written questionnaire and the same chance to interview with the Committee. We then score each candidate on five business factors:
- Business Climate and Jobs
- Taxes, Fees, and Fiscal Responsibility
- Regulation and the Cost of Doing Business
- Local Engagement and Knowledge
- Accountability and Effectiveness
Party affiliation and ideology are never scoring factors. The scorecard informs the Committee's judgment. It does not replace it, and we document every endorsement decision.
NONPARTISAN. INDEPENDENT. BUSINESS-FOCUSED.
The PAC is not controlled by any candidate and is not affiliated with any political party. It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from people and businesses who believe a strong economy needs a seat at the table. We never use Chamber membership dues or general funds. The PAC operates under California law and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requirements, with an accountant and legal counsel ensuring full compliance.
GET INVOLVED
Contribute. Voluntary PAC contributions fund our ability to support candidates and measures that back local economic opportunity.
Share Your Experience. Tell us about the issues affecting your business: permitting, taxes, workforce, infrastructure, regulation, public safety. Your experience shapes the questions we ask candidates.
Participate. Join Chamber candidate forums and questionnaires to hear directly from candidates on the issues that matter to you.
Stay Informed and Vote. Local, county, and state elections shape the cost of doing business here. Know the candidates and measures, then vote.
Current PAC Officers:
Nick Jones - Business Owner
Summer Pennino - Business Owner
Aaron Shinn - Farmer & Business Owner
Steve Diede - Business Owner
JP Doucette - Lodi Chamber CEO (Ex-Officio Member)
This page is a general summary of the Lodi Chamber PAC's purpose and process for public information. It is not legal advice. Election, campaign finance, and tax requirements are fact specific and change over time. The PAC confirms current requirements with qualified legal counsel and its accountant, and operates under applicable California law and FPPC requirements.