It’s candidate filing deadline day. Here’s who’s running in local races in Fresno County
Three election days in the next two months will keep Fresno-area voters on their toes as they weigh choices to determine who will replace Devin Nunes in Congress, elect a new sheriff, take leadership positions on the Fresno Unified School Board and the Fresno City Council, and make multiple selections in the June statewide primary.
Here is a look at what’s ahead:
April 5 Special Primary for 22nd Congressional District
The surprise announcement that Nunes, a Tulare Republican, would resign from the seat he has held for nearly two decades to run Donald Trump’s new social media site opened the path to multiple candidates seeking the 22nd Congressional District position in the April 5 special election. Six candidates, two Democrats and four Republicans, were on the certified ballot as the candidate filing period closed Friday. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be part of the June 7 statewide primary election.
The race is to replace Nunes for the remainder of his term. In November, voters will be in new political boundaries thanks to redistricting.
On the Democratic side in the April vote, Eric Garcia describes himself as a father and therapist, and Lourin Hubbard is a water resources manager. Roman C. Rain Tree, who did not provide a ballot description, declared himself a write-in candidate, and has until March 22 to bring in the necessary paperwork, according to Fresno County Clerk James A. Kus.
Three of the four Republican candidates, Connie Conway, Elizabeth Heng and Matt Stoll, list themselves as small business owners. Michael Maher says he is an aviation business owner.
Timetable
March 7: Ballots mailed to registered voters and first day of early voting
March 21: Close of voter registration. To register online, go to sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration
March 7 to April 5: Ballot drop boxes open. To find a drop box, go to bit.ly/3JVeLOT
March 29: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot, contact the Fresno County Clerk’s Office at votefresnocounty.com
April 2: All vote centers open: To find a vote center, go to co.fresno.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=48965
April 5: Election Day
April 12 Consolidated Special School District Election
Three candidates are seeking to finish the term of longtime Fresno Unified Trustee Carol Mills, who died in the summer of 2021 after a battle with ALS. Mills served 17 years as the trustee representing the Fresno High community, winning re-election again in 2020.
The candidates are Russ Allen, a retired educator; Daniel Renteria, a retired administrator; Andrew Fabela, a retired firefighter; and Andy Levine, a teacher.
The K-8 West Park Elementary School District west of Fresno has a board seat up for election on April 12, also. The candidates are Jesus Silos, a parent; Araceli Lopez, a parent; and write-in candidate Ezekiel Andre Rodriguez, who did not place a description on the ballot designation.
Timetable
March 14: Mail ballots sent out
March 28: Close of voter registration
April 9: All vote centers open through election day. To find a vote center, go toco.fresno.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=48965
April 12: Election day
June 7 Statewide Direction Primary Election
Fresno-area voters will make decisions on a top-down June 7 ballot with statewide seats from governor to secretary of state to controller and attorney general. They will also vote to select a U.S. senator and the House of Representatives based on new congressional districts, plus state Senate and Assembly. The statewide ballot on those positions has not been finalized.
In most instances, the top two vote-getters in the primary regardless of political party advance to the November general election.
One race that appears will be decided in June unless there is an 11th-hour candidate is the one to replace retiring longtime Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims. It pits Assistant Sheriff John Zanoni, already qualified for the ballot, against declared candidate and Deputy Fresno Police Chief Mark Salazar.
Another hotly contested race will be to replace retiring Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Jim Yovino. Assistant Superintendent Michele Cantwell-Copher, educator/trustee Eliseo Gamino and educator Daren Miller are on the ballot.
Another highly competitive contest is taking place in Fresno City Council District 1, where former City Council member and business owner Mike Briggs is running against business owner Cary Catalano, city planner Annalisa Perea and business owner Jeremy M. Preis to determine who will represent the Tower District seat now held by Esmeralda Soria.
In District 3, incumbent Miguel Arias will face Larry T. Burrus and musician Nickolas Wildstar.
In Fresno City Council District 5, incumbent Luis Chavez will face Sanger school board member Brandon Vang.
In District 7, incumbent Nelson Esparza will be challenged by youth ministry leader Courtney Westfall and retired paralegal Jason Jesada Keomanee.
In Fresno County Supervisor races, farmer Ernest “Buddy” Mendes is being challenged in District 4 by businessman Danny Parra of Fowler and Jose Ramirez, an economic development adviser.
Highlighting races for the state Legislature, Soria is running for Assembly in the 27th District where she’ll face fellow council member and Democrat Mike Karbassi and Republican Amanda Fleming.
Timetable
March 11: Candidate filing period ends
March 12 to March 16: Extension, Candidate filing period if incumbent does not file
April 28: Voter information guides mailed
May 9: Mail ballots go out and first day of early voting
May 23: Close of voter registration
June 4: All vote centers open
June 7: Election day
This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 3:18 PM.