Letter to Editor and Social Media Responses
As vote-by-mail ballots begin arriving in mailboxes across El Dorado County, debate surrounding the race for treasurer-tax collector is growing increasingly public.
A recently published Letter to the Editor and accompanying social media discussion have placed renewed attention on the June 2 election contest between candidate Sean Coppola and candidate Corey Leikauf, focusing on questions of experience, management qualifications and political influence.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office oversees several key county financial operations, including property tax collection, business licensing and management of an investment portfolio estimated at more than $1.1 billion. The office also supervises roughly 25 employees, making the race one of the more consequential administrative contests on the county ballot.
In a public post shared Wednesday morning, local resident Brandon Rose encouraged voters to closely examine both candidates’ backgrounds and campaign filings before casting ballots.
“The people of El Dorado County deserve a Treasurer-Tax-Collector elected based on their own merit, not by family connections and deceiving titles,” Rose wrote in the letter.
Rose argued that Coppola possesses more direct leadership experience, citing management oversight of departments ranging from 20 to 200 employees. He contrasted that with Leikauf’s background as an auditor and Administrative Analyst II within county government and the private sector.
The letter also questioned Leikauf’s use of the title “Deputy Auditor-Controller” in campaign materials, alleging the position does not reflect his current county classification.
Additionally, Rose pointed to campaign finance activity and endorsements connected to the race, noting support from several law enforcement figures and donations originating outside El Dorado County. Among those referenced was a contribution tied to Board of Equalization candidate Shannon Grove, whom Sheriff Leikauf has reportedly endorsed.
The discussion quickly gained traction online, drawing reactions from local residents and political observers.
Kimberly Hopkins Preston commented that the position requires leadership focused solely on county interests rather than personality politics. Other commenters voiced support for Coppola, while some encouraged residents to attend an upcoming candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of El Dorado County.
According to promotional material circulated online, the forum is scheduled for May 7 at Placerville Town Hall on Main Street and is expected to feature both candidates.
One commenter, Jane Smith, urged voters to examine campaign finance disclosure forms, commonly known as Form 460 filings, arguing that financial transparency and clarity matter in a race centered on public finance oversight.
Another resident, Kirk Smith, framed the stakes in financial terms.
“If our treasurer made an investment mistake in managing our billion plus dollar county budget by just 1%, that could be a loss of maybe $28 million in a day,” Smith wrote.
The race comes as local elections across California continue seeing increased scrutiny over campaign financing, public-sector qualifications and the influence of political networks in down-ballot offices that traditionally receive limited public attention.
No public response from the Leikauf campaign addressing the allegations contained in the letter was immediately available Wednesday afternoon.
County election officials confirmed that vote-by-mail ballots were distributed May 4 ahead of the June 2 election.
Voters seeking additional information about the candidates, campaign finance filings or election procedures can review public records through the El Dorado County Elections Department and the California Secretary of State campaign disclosure database available through Cal-Access.
