Fresno city councilmember exploring Assembly run. ‘I’m leaning that way,’ he says
Fresno Councilmember Mike Karbassi said Monday he is exploring a run for a new Assembly District, which he says is looking for a moderate candidate.
Karbassi told The Bee that “it’s not 100%, but I’m leaning that way” about a run for the 27th Assembly District, which has already drawn a candidate in Councilmember Esmeralda Soria.
Karbassi said the Merced-centered district is looking for a candidate like him, one that describes himself as a moderate Democrat.
“They’re what Fresno used to be 10 years ago,” he said. “I think they’re looking for someone who will protect their interests as taxpayers, and won’t just give everything away.”
Karbassi is in his second term on the Fresno City Council and said Monday he was happy to be in that position. He only started to explore a run after getting calls from others in his party, he said.
The majority of voters in that district supported both President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom. Karbassi said he believes those voters also support law enforcement and believe in laws like Gavin’s Law, a bill that failed but would have increased penalties for fatal hit-and-run crashes.
Karbassi said he also has a history of being able to work with others. “I don’t burn bridges,” he said.
The district has been represented by Assemblymember Adam Gray, D-Merced, who has announced he will run for Congress.
“If they were happy with Adam Gray, they should be happy with me,” Karbassi said.
Esmeralda Soria
Soria said in January said she would make a run for the seat. She has termed out of the council job.
Soria made her announcement with a list of more than 50 endorsements from elected officials and community members across the state and San Joaquin Valley, spanning from Kern County to Merced County.
This story was originally published February 7, 2022 at 9:45 AM.
