EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. Supervisory District 3 (November 20, 2023) – In a surprising twist of political dynamics, Diamond Springs resident Brian DeBerry, a familiar face from the 2020 District 3 Supervisor campaign, is making a comeback. Current Supervisor Wendy Thomas has announced that she will not seek a second term, opening the door for DeBerry to re-enter the political arena.
DeBerry, now 76, faced off against Wendy Thomas in the 2020 campaign. He wore his lack of political experience proudly, stating that he’s “not a politician.” Despite falling short in his first attempt, DeBerry remains undeterred. Reflecting on his initial foray into politics, he remarked,
“I was a novice to the world of politics, fell short. However, not enough to stop me from running again. I learned a lot.”
The upcoming election for El Dorado County Supervisor in District 3 will feature DeBerry against past supervisor Brian Veerkamp, current District 3 Planning Commissioner Lexi Boeger, and Placerville resident Gary Martin. District 3 encompasses Placerville, Diamond Springs, and Camino.
Brian DeBerry, the son of former El Dorado County surveyor Fred DeBerry, and is deeply rooted in the county’s history. A native of Georgetown and a graduate of Ponderosa High School, DeBerry and his wife settled in Diamond Springs, where they raised their two sons, Randy and Tim.
With a career spanning several decades, DeBerry worked on land-use and transportation issues, contributing to local surveyors, the El Dorado County Department of Transportation, El Dorado County Irrigation District, and Caltrans, where he spent 23 years. His expertise as a land-use/transportation specialist focused on highway inspection, construction surveying, right-of-way, and highway design.
Roads are a central concern for DeBerry, carrying forward his previous campaign platform. He expressed frustration over money being wasted on what he perceives as wrong priorities by the county’s decision-makers. He emphasized the need to fix the deteriorating roads, considering them a liability to those who travel on them.
DeBerry’s core values in leadership include common sense, care, compassion, and integrity. He envisions an active role as a county supervisor, promising to be present in the community and responsive to constituents’ concerns. He is dedicated to personally addressing issues and fixing problems within the district.
Drafted into a combat engineer company three years after graduating from Ponderosa High School in 1965, DeBerry served in the military. DeBerry’s extensive experience, including roles with Caltrans, the El Dorado County Department of Transportation, and the El Dorado Irrigation District positions him as a candidate with a deep understanding of the county’s challenges.
Brian DeBerry concludes with a commitment to collaborative efforts, saying,
“We have a lot of work to do together to fix the county we live in and love. I look forward to being your voice on the Board of Supervisors and working together on the upcoming important issues facing us — protecting our historical heritage, communities, neighborhoods, and our quality of life and much more.”
DeBerry is a member of E Clampus Vitus.
