SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. — Ted Gaines, a longtime Northern California public official and small-business owner, has announced his candidacy for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, seeking to represent District 4 in an upcoming election cycle.
Gaines, who currently serves on the California State Board of Equalization, enters the race with a résumé that includes 12 years in the California State Legislature and prior service on the Placer County Board of Supervisors. His campaign centers on preserving the rural character of El Dorado County while advocating for fiscal restraint and limited government.
“My family’s California story began during the Gold Rush,” Gaines said in a campaign statement. “I want to protect that rural feeling for everyone who lives in the 4th District and El Dorado County.”
Gaines and his wife, former Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, relocated to El Dorado County roughly a decade ago and later built a home in Shingle Springs. He cited the area’s “peace, quiet, safety, and star-filled nights” as key reasons for putting down roots locally.
In addition to his public service, Gaines has operated an insurance business for more than three decades, experience he says informs his approach to economic policy and regulation. His campaign platform emphasizes reducing government barriers for businesses, opposing tax increases, and maintaining infrastructure and public safety services.
During his tenure on the Board of Equalization, Gaines has represented a large multi-county district, advocating for property tax oversight and transparency. He is also a vocal supporter of Proposition 13, a landmark California law that limits property tax increases.
Gaines’ candidacy positions him as a conservative voice in the District 4 race, with affiliations that include the California Republican Assembly and the National Rifle Association. His campaign messaging underscores themes of individual liberty, taxpayer protection, and resistance to urban development pressures.
“I’ll fight to protect El Dorado County’s rural character from urban sprawl and overregulation,” Gaines said.
The District 4 seat represents a significant portion of western El Dorado County, including communities where growth, land use, and wildfire preparedness remain ongoing concerns among residents and policymakers.
The upcoming election is expected to draw attention as candidates outline competing visions for balancing development with preservation in one of Northern California’s fastest-evolving regions.
