Meet Corkey Harmon for Shasta County Supervisor
Harmon says he’s running for supervisor to give back to the community and ensure more good projects are approved by the county.
This story is part of Shasta Scout’s ongoing citizen-powered election coverage. Our election reporting flips the script by asking candidates to answer questions from the community. Harmon is running against incumbent Supervisor Mary Rickert for the area of Shasta County known as District 3. His interview was conducted long-form and in person. The questions were drawn broadly from reader responses to Scout’s latest survey on elections, but we also added additional questions of interest. Harmon’s responses have been curated and paraphrased for this format. Unsure what district you’re in? Find out here.
Scout: What should we know about you? What brought you to Shasta County?
I was born here, third generation. My grandpa came here on one side of the family for Shasta Dam, and on the other side of the family my grandpa came here as a Greek immigrant to work on the Iron Mountain Mine. So I grew up here, other than the years from eighth grade to just out of high school when my family lived in Montana. I came back here when I was 19 or 20 and I worked tending sand and gravel loading trucks for a few years and then I started my first business repossessing cars. I did that for eight years and then I got married and went to work for my father-in-law running the Mountain Gate Quarry for another eight years or so and then went to work for Stimpel Wiebelhaus as a junior partner. In 2008 I bought my other two partners out and I also went back and bought the Mountain Gate Quarry from my father-in-law. I’m still running both of those today along with a trucking business that kind of goes with them. I never got a degree but my son got a degree in construction management and now he’s my manager.
Scout: Why did you decide to run for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors?
I’ll be 65 in the spring. I just feel like I want to do a little more for the community. I think it’s very service-oriented to give back and I think it’s good to have a diversified board and I’d like to see more good projects go through in the county.
I always like to say, I think Shasta County is one of the biggest businesses in the county. And I’ve been running businesses for pretty much my whole life, successfully. I’ve done literally hundreds of projects, multi-million dollar projects, and I’ve never not finished one on time. I’ve never not completed and been successful on all of them, which takes a lot of skill. You’re always hiring the right crews and subcontractors and you have to put a budget and schedules together. And if I don’t finish on time and under budget, it comes out of my pocket. I deal with just about every regulator and entity out there when it comes to building roads; city, state, federal, county.
There’s been a little bit of controversy that I’m running for office to line my own pockets and that’s just absolutely not true. We’re in a competitive bid process at the county so you have to have the low bid, there’s no advantage by being a county supervisor.
Scout: I’ve heard the controversy. Are you still able to take county contracts if you become supervisor?
I’m researching that. I’m a member with Associated General Contractors, which is a nationwide advocacy group and I’ve spoken to an attorney. I don’t think there should be any issue with me bidding future jobs, but I don’t know the legal conclusion so I’m going to find out to make sure I don’t do anything illegal or controversial. You know if somebody steps up to do a community service, they shouldn’t use it unfairly to their advantage for business (which I would never do) but I also think it also shouldn’t stop them from doing what they’ve been doing for decades.
Editor’s note: A review of the relevant government code was provided for Shasta Scout by the California Association of Counties (CSAC). According to the laws cited, county board members and their immediate family members may not financially benefit from any contract made by a board in which they are a member. Relevant laws include: California Government Codes 1090, 1097, 87100, 87103, 87105 and California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Division 6, Section 18700.
Scout: How important are county contracts to your businesses?
It’s not our total bread and butter. We do a lot of work for different agencies.
Editor’s Note: Harmon’s business, Stimpel Wiebelhaus, was contracted by the county for the $4 million Cove Road project in May 2024. The project was initially awarded to another bidder but was awarded to Harmon’s business by a vote of the County Board after an error was discovered in the other company’s bidding process. Over the last four years, Stimpel Wiebelhaus has received only one other county contract. That contract was awarded in 2022 for the Redding Regional Septage Impoundment 1B Cleanout Project, valued at $341,000.
Scout: How would you handle all the conflict that’s currently going on during county meetings?
I’ve always been able to work well with people. Right now I’m pretty frustrated with the people skills on our board. I wouldn’t take a classroom full of kids on a field trip to our board meetings and that’s a shame. Mary (Rickert), I think she’s been mistreated. I’m old fashioned and I’m respectful to ladies.
You know, sometimes when you go to those meetings you feel like you’re wasting a lot of time. I think everyone on the board is guilty of not working well together. There’s so much infighting, I think there’s decisions being made just to spite the other person. That’s not working.
Stop slinging mud. Just talk about the issues and do what’s best for the people. Talk respectfully. Don’t tell speakers they should be ashamed of themselves. You’ve got to reach across the aisle, so to speak. You gotta be concerned about all the people and be able to deal with people in a polite, professional way.
I’m really happy to see (supervisor-select Matt) Plummer coming in. I think he’ll be professional and respectful.
Scout: Currently most decisions are made by a board majority of three. Would you vote with those on the board majority?
I’ll make a decision based on the information. Sometimes it will be based on a gut feeling of what’s right or wrong. Sometimes I’ll know I need more information.
Right now I see a lot of people saying how they’re going to vote and then other people on the Board agreeing with them. Personally, I think the votes shouldn’t be revealed until after the vote is finished. How about we just push a button and the only one that sees it is maybe the CEO or the attorney until after it’s done.
Scout: There’s a rumor that you’ve been going to events with Supervisor Kevin Crye and CEO David Rickert in District 3 where you’re running. Can you speak to that?
I went to one deal and it was a Shasta Chamber of Commerce thing at a pizza parlor in Fall River Mills. I got invited and I went and CEO David Rickert and Kevin Crye were there. That was my first time meeting (CEO) Rickert and Nigel Skeet who’s part of the Shasta Chamber.
I’d met Crye before but I don’t know him very well, I just know some people that are both of our mutual friends. I mean, yea I’ve talked to Kevin before. Some quick phone calls where he said ‘hey you need to check this out’ or ‘you should know about this, or you should be at this thing wherever.’ That’s about it.
Scout: Crye doesn’t seem to care for District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett much, would you be able to work with her?
Yea. I’m not good friends with her or anything but I can sit down and talk with her. My uncle, (former Shasta County Sheriff) Jim Pope, campaigned for her. And the Sheriff (Mike Johnson) works with her real well so that’s the important thing.
Scout: What’s your opinion on the recent press restrictions in the Board chambers that were announced and then partially retracted?
That was stupid. I don’t know why the press can’t stay right there where they are. There’s no need to make them leave.
Scout: What do you want to accomplish as a supervisor?
One of the top priorities is security and reducing crime and then I want to see more mental health programs.
Scout: How would you describe yourself as a candidate?
I’m a Christian guy but I’m also a man’s man. I’m not teaching Sunday school on Sunday mornings, but I have my own faith-based values. I don’t push my values on people but I think whoever is in a leadership position has to have a lot of conservative values. Everybody that knows me would say I’m far right, but I don’t think I’m far right in a fighting way.
Scout: Who are your largest funders? What political action committees (PACs) have supported your campaign either directly or indirectly?
I haven’t gotten money from Anselmo and I won’t take money from him. The only large donation I’ve had is from a union, maybe $3000. I’m not a huge union advocate but I am a member of a union.
Editor’s Note: A review of Harmon’s filings as of August 2024, show he’s received $3000 from Operating Engineers Local Union No 3, $2000 from Laborers Local 185 and $2000 from Mittry Construction. He’s also received large donations varying from $1000-$1625 from individual donors Christine Mcarthur, Marshall Harmon, Nancy Bartell, Bill Pope, Wendy Johnston, Eddie Axner, Elizabeth Stephens and Lon Tatum.
Scout: Are you committed to following state law? For example, the Board recently passed a Resolution in Support of the 2nd Amendment that contradicts state law by allowing guns in government buildings, would you support that?
I would like to see the state stay out of our local government. I think that’s part of the duty of our elected people is to protect our rights, and make sure government’s not overreaching. To make sure they’re not doing things they shouldn’t be doing. But I think when things go wrong you got to go through the courts to fix it. And maybe the person that should be most involved in fixing it is the Sheriff because he’s the ultimate law enforcement we have.
When you ask about the second amendment resolution the Board passed, I think we should have followed state law when it comes to that. I know if I’m a supervisor I don’t want people carrying guns in that building. But if we’re not going to allow guns we also need to have a metal detector to make sure no one brings them. If you’re gonna tell me I can’t carry a gun somewhere, then by gosh, it better be secure . . . not that I pack a gun around all the time.
Scout: The board is considering spending $1 M on tourism. Would you consider that?
I think so . . .
Scout: Do you support the work of the Elections Commission? Why or why not?
I’m a little frustrated with that whole thing; it got so politicized that it’s dysfunctional. I wouldn’t say I’m advocating for it to go away but it’s a perfect example of the infighting being so bad that it’s dysfunctional. It was started for a good reason but it’s too bad it went the way everything else has gone.
Scout: Do you think there are problems with the local elections process? If so, what are they and how would you approach solving them?
I haven’t seen any problems with the local elections process.
Like everyone I worry about elections for the country as a whole. I don’t think anyone really thinks elections are totally secure.
Scout: How would you approach the issue of jail capacity?
I know we don’t have enough money to build a jail but we do have money set aside, $30 million I think. We should think out of the box. What can we do with the old courthouse? Can we create some kind of minimum security facility? We need to do something. Right now we’re doing catch and release.
Scout: How would you help our community prepare for and reduce the risk of wildfire?
I’m really not sure. I have a lot more to learn about that. But I will say wildfire feels like big business and I don’t love that.
Do you have a correction or more information to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org
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Very informative article. Like Mike and Qu, I am troubled by the fact that Mr. Harmon has not completely researched the effect that being a member of the Board of Supervisors would have on the ability of his businesses to bid on County contracts. I did about one hour of research into Government Code 1090 as interpreted by the courts and the FPPC and it looks pretty clear to me that his businesses could not bid on any County contracts while he is a member of the BOS. If that is correct, he needs to withdraw from the race or commit to not having his businesses seek any County contracts, whether as Primary Contractor or Subcontractor, during his term as a Supervisor.
Corky was not my first choice but the candidate I voted for did not get the votes needed to be in this run off. For this reason I will be voting for Corky. I have not been happy of late with how Mary conducts herself at the meetings. She and Garmen seem to be very in tune with a group of people who have their own agenda when attending the meetings. I am looking for basic honesty in a Supervisor not someone who sides in with one group or another the way elementary kids do on the playground. I hope with this election we will have smooth sailing at our BOS meetings. I am fed up the with behavior of members of the public because they have their own ax to grind.
Whoa….where does one start ? Every line of his responses were filled with ‘good ole boy’ chatter. I recall when he was at the Shasta Lake candidates night before the primary and it was his turn to give the 3 minute wrap-up…he said wait a minute ‘I got a text from my wife’…she says…I will blah, bah blah and none of the words were from his lips, who in the H is he ? or what does he stand for. So many of his responses from the SS reporter were…’what are you saying ?’ His friends know him as a Far Right individual, but he doesn’t think so, Trump thinks that way too ! Yikes !
Please general citizen, Vote Mary Rickert for a new era of sanity on the BoS.
Heard Corky Harmon speak yesterday at a panel with Mary Rickert. Harmon seemed like a nice guy with good intentions but it is clear he has no real sense of the county government or its issues. Mary is far, FAR better
I 100% agree.
Thank you for bringing us this interview. I’m happy to hear he hasn’t taken and won’t take Anselmo money. I hope it’s true, and I hope you’re able to hold him to that. I got the distinct feeling he was underplaying his relationship with Kevin Crye. First he said he doesn’t know him well, then he described Kevin calling him saying, you should check this out or hey, check out this other thing–that sounds like a friend relationship to me. To downplay it feels shady. He sounds more reasonable than some of the supervisors, but then again I remember Kevin claiming how moderate he is and what a “uniter” and then, bam. He gets the office and he’s the most extreme, rude, uninformed pot stirrer not uniting anyone or doing anything to improve our hometown. As a businessperson who’s gone this far down the path of seeking office, it seems negligent to not know with 100% certainty BEFORE you run, what that would mean for your business. He might not be a bad guy, but nothing he’s saying persuades me he’s a better candidate than Mary. She knows more, has more experience, has built important relationships, is more transparent and she has a proven track record of doing good work. She deserves to be re-elected.
He’s been to one coffee with Crye. They don’t hang out. He’s met with Plummer and will soon be meeting with Long. It’s the same squad here as ANC in that they crucify conservatives and detract from contributors to society because they themselves contribute nothing meaningful, only division and the perpetual victimhood of identity politics. Tasteless.
It’s clear Corkey’s not polished or a politician. I’m not even convinced about his viability due to his successfully running 3 businesses but I’m sure glad he’s at least running for office. I have personally found him to be a good guy.
There has got to be an alternative to the Anselmo funded good Old Boy’s and the left of centre Version of self identifying Republican, palatable to the loud left.
After listening to this guy brag about himself seals the deal on me for Mary Rickert.
I would give Mr. Harmon the benefit of the doubt, and believe that he means well when he says he wants to give back to the community. However, you can do that in many ways. And, I personally believe that being elected a County Supervisor is not one of them. I find it extremely worrisome that he did not even know on the day of the interview whether or not his companies will be able to bid on county projects due to a conflict of interest. He has been campaigning at least the beginning of the year, and he still did not know the answer? That alone should tell you a lot about his qualifications for County Supervisor.
One question I think should have been asked is if he would be willing not to bid on any County projects if elected, and for the duration of his term. He says in the interview that County business is not the “bread and butter” of his business. If the wants to reassure voters that he really means it when he says he is running for Supervisor because he wants to do a little more for the community. Then what better way to show that by making that promise.
I wish you had asked him if he would have voted for the Tierra Robles project. His business may not get too many contracts from the county, but certainly the projects that the Board is asked to approve would bring him loads of business. That is a conflict of interest clearly.
I am surprised that he hasn’t fully looked into conflicts of interests for himself IF he is elected. Not doing his homework at this point is not a good sign. I am also very concerned as to who is supporting him. Carlos Zapada? Woody Clendenin? Egads!
Vote for the proven common sense incumbent, Mary Rickert!
I agree. I think there is a huge conflict of interest in his business dealing and those of the County that can negatively impact all districts and potentially be huge benefit to him. It feels very reminiscent of Cryes’ dealing with Gateway schools after he was elected and the contracts he gained. It is also clear in Harmon’s statements that he has thought about the potential for financial gain to his business and feels it is a non-issue. I also find it shocking that the 3 BOS found it so egregious, crying foul over the DA and the PGE settlement but the find no issue when they use their elected positions to further their own financial interests.
“…wildfire feels like big business and I don’t love that.”
What does this mean exactly? As one who has experienced 3 evacuations since the Santa Rosa Tubbs Fire in 2017, I don’t tend to think of “big business” when I think of wildfires. Are hurricanes “big business?” Are tornadoes “big business?” I mean are disasters now considered to be just an opportunity to make money?I’m glad he doesn’t “love” that, but what do you suppose Mr. Harmon is talking about? Someone, please feel free to enlighten me.
I appreciate this interview. I want to get to know this man, but I am very concerned that all appearances would indicate that our CEO, and Chair Crye are pushing and/or are grooming Corky and lending their “confidence and board power” to/behind him. This feels very sketchy to me.
Thank you for your skill and this interview
Kily
Like Kily, I am VERY concerned about Mr. Harmond and the JCK Cartel, his good-ol-boy buddies, CEO Rickerd, Crye, Jones, and Kelstorm, all colluding to line Corkey’s pockets with a taxpayer-paid contract that was clawed back from the winner of the bid after the deal was signed! At least Corkey had the decency to bow and tip his hat to his benefactor Crye after the Cartel voted to give him the money.
I’m very concerned about the all too obvious appearance of the Cartel campaigning for Corkey in another supervisor’s district, which the JCK + CEO Cartel openly hates and has publicly abused. Why? Because the supervisor in question IS NOT an over-the-edge / Mr.Pillow extremist who is willing to flush MILLIONS and MILLIONS of hard-earned taxpayer dollars down the drain or willing to help the Cartel push an agenda that is all too often just plain weird propaganda, if not outright illegal!
Talk about open corruption! Remember, the JCK + Rickart Cartel are all under investigation (paid for by the tens of thousands by….. you guessed it, Shasta County Taxpayers) to determine if the Cartel violated California Laws and Shasta County Policies! What The Heck Is Going On Here Folks!
Citizens, are you getting tired of the JCK + Rickert Cartel flushing taxpayer’s money down the toilet or putting Millions into their crony’s pockets while we are under a serious fentanyl attack, while the Cartel cuts funding for programs that help Shasta County Citizens (not just JCK + Rickart cronies), while we can’t seem to find money to build a jail or pay our Law Enforcement a fair wage? Yeah, you’re not alone. Enough is Enough!
Good ol’ boy Corkey is obviously ignorant about the gravity of being a supervisor and what conflict of interest means. (Of course, Crye stated he didn’t know what supervisors were before he decided to run for office, so what would one expect?)
This open flaunting of cronyism, ignorance, and waste of taxpayer money is hurting Shasta County Citizens and our reputation. People are reconsidering moving to our county, and too many of our excellent Shasta County Employees are leaving public service because The Cartel is starting to look and act like an out of controal Crime Syndicate!
Shasta County Citizens don’t add to the Corrupt Cartel’s power; they’re dirty enough as they are. We must work together to move Shasta County into a Safe And Sane future and clean up the costly filth the Cartel has created for its small fan club base of edge extremists.
Shasta County Citizens, We Deserve Better!
I quit reading your comment after your first comment, how is Mary Rickert in collision with this guy when she is running against him. As Mark Twain once said, sometimes it’s better to keep your mouth shut and look foolish, than to open it and remove all doubt.
I think he meant CEO David Rickert, not Supervisor Mary Rickert.
Is the Rickert they are refering to CEO Rickert, which I assume they are since it is being attached to the JCK cartel? It gets too confusing with the same names for the CEO and a Supervisor. Thanks.
I believe the previous comment refers to CEO Rickert in reference to the Cartel. NOT Mary Rickert. CEO Rickert has been linked to “campaigning” for Harmon with Supervisor Crye in District 3 (Mary’s District.)
Mr Gardinier is referring to CEO Rickert, who happens to have the same last name as Mary Rickert, but no relation. Mary Rickert is not in collusion with Crye, Jones, Kelstrom or CEO Rickert, period.
Thank you Mapper. Of course I’m referring to the CEO. I would think a critical read of what I wrote would make that rather clear however, my bad, in the future I’ll refer to CEO David Rickart, an extremist MAGA for the JCK Cartel.
Mary and Tim are both Safe and Sane Republicans, both honorable and many other Safe and Sane Republicans, many Democrats in Mary’s district and many NapP or independent voters have worked hard to support, and will continue to do so! Vote Safe and Sane! Vote for Mary!
I 100% agree, Kily.
Great interviewing, Annelise! I learned a lot more about this candidate. My vote will remain the same but I feel much more informed. Thank you!