Tight contest in Fresno City Council District 1 as initial votes roll in
Fresno City Council District 1 candidate Rob Fuentes was in the lead on primary election night as initial results rolled in, with opponent Naindeep Singh trailing just behind.
Fuentes, a State Center Community College District trustee and federal prosecutor, secured 33.49% of the vote as of 8:09 p.m. Singh, a nonprofit leader and Central Unified board trustee, gained 33.49% in the battle to succeed outgoing Councilmember Annalisa Perea.
Monte Forkas, a former campaign coordinator, was next in line with 13.51% of the vote and Joe Hinojosa, the city of Fresno’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator was last with 13.35%.
A total of 4,906 votes had been submitted in the initial count.
Perea has held the seat since late 2022 and is running for the State Assembly District 31 seat. Fuentes earned endorsements from her, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, along with several labor groups and other local politicians.
The Valley Voters Political Action Committee, the Working Families Party, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, the United Food and Commercial Workers union, the Norcal Carpenters Union and some members of local school boards endorsed Singh.
To secure a seat, a candidate must receive over 50% of the vote. If no one gets a majority, the top two candidates will advance to the general.
Fresno’s District 1 covers a large portion of northwest and west-central Fresno, including Tower District, the Fresno High area, parts of Fig Garden, and areas west of Highway 99.
This is a developing story and will be updated as votes come in through Tuesday night.