Incumbent Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea, who is running unopposed in the District 3 race, believes the lack of challengers signals a vote of confidence in his leadership.
"I think folks in my district have a comfort level that I'm doing a good job," Perea said.He is bidding for a second term to represent the district, which encompasses parts of south and central Fresno, in the June 3 election.Perea has been a significant figure in local politics and has high name recognition, which could explain the lack of challengers, said Thomas Holyoke, an assistant professor of political science at California State University, Fresno.Perea and his son, Henry T. Perea, who is running for mayor, both have served on the Fresno City Council."The Perea name is out there," Holyoke said."Incumbents have tremendous advantages, and Perea has more than most. So if you're a challenger and looking to gain a seat on the board, he'd be the hardest one to beat."Mike Reynolds, a Fresno photographer and advocate for 1994's Three Strikes law, which enacted tougher penalties for repeat offenders, considered running against Perea and even had some polling done, which he said was "very favorable" for him in high voter turnout precincts.He said he chose not to get into the race, however, mostly because he is working for the passage of two statewide initiatives planned for the November ballot -- the Safe Neighborhoods Act and another on justice for homicide victims."My dance card is full," Reynolds said.Perea says he has helped the board accomplish much during his first term, pointing to his advocacy of services consolidation -- such as the Fresno Police Department and the county Sheriff's Department communication systems -- and of mental health issues.The county will reopen psychiatric in-patient facilities for youth and is discussing housing for the homeless, many of whom suffer from mental illness, he said."If you don't stabilize people's housing, it's hard to deal with their mental health issues," said Perea, this year's board chairman.Other pressing issues for the county are assessing needed jail space for the next 10 to 20 years and planning for the expansion of rural communities, which is cutting into agricultural land, he said."Within five years, we'll destroy our ag economy if we don't make the right land-use decisions now," Perea said.