Election night dispatches: Fresno parties, ‘OG’ party van, posturing, what mayor said
Election night in Fresno means lots of watch parties as attendees posture for the present and future.
Mayor Jerry Dyer ended up at Sequoia Brewing Co., where Nav Gurm — a Fresno City Council District 7 candidate — appeared likely to advance to the November election.
Two of Dyer’s three Fresno City Council picks appeared headed for the November ballot. The primary election won’t be certified until later this month, but results after Tuesday night looked good for Gurm and Rob Fuentes in District 1. Another Dyer pick, Eimear O’Brien, was clinging to a slim lead for second place and a spot on the Nov. 3 ballot for Fresno County superintendent of schools.
“I’m happy for Rob, I’m happy for Nav, but it’s early, and the main thing is getting folks into the runoff for November,” Dyer said.
Dyer expects a different electorate in the November general election, with higher turnout, he said.
“Regardless of what happens leading up to the election, I’m going to work with whoever’s in office — all for the purpose of moving the city forward,” Dyer said.
District 5 candidate Danielle Parra — another Dyer pick — was in jeopardy of not advancing beyond the primary. Incumbent Brandon Vang had a majority of the vote. If that holds, he will win his re-election outright.
Is Arambula in trouble?
Did Joaquin Arambula underperform? After a decade in the state Assembly representing an area that overlaps Fresno City Council District 3, Arambula received 28% of the vote — first among seven candidates. He appeared headed to a November runoff with Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas.
Several election experts The Fresno Bee spoke with informally guessed Arambula would reach the high 40s — if not win outright.
Dyer called the result “a shocker.”
Maria Lemus, Arambula’s campaign manager, said the campaign expected a runoff.
“With seven candidates in the race, we’re grateful he made it to a runoff in November, and we’re grateful for the supporters, volunteers and others who came through for the campaign,” Lemus said.
Arambula is in the process of a divorce, and revelations about a 30-day rehabilitation stay for alcohol and marijuana use have become public. Lemus downplayed the effect on voters.
“I think voters appreciated that he’s working on himself and his family. I think they were more focused on what he has done and what he has delivered for the district,” Lemus said.
Others had a different take.
“He’s in deep s---,” said Jason Carns, Thomas’ campaign manager.
The party crew
One group of former politicians carpooled in a van, going party to party to congratulate the winners.
Former State Center Trustee Richard Caglia, former Fresno City Councilmember Paul Caprioglio, former state Sen. — and supervisor and councilmember — Andreas Borgeas, former Fresno Mayor Lee Brand and current Clovis Unified Trustee Clint Olivier piled into a black van to enjoy the evening.
Caprioglio appeared well after leaving office in 2019. He also retired as an attorney.
The group is known as the “OGs,” short for Old Guys. Caglia said the trip is an election tradition.
Vacant seats? A look at 2027
The November results could lead some candidates to leave office early, setting up special elections in spring 2027.
Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi appeared headed to a November runoff for Fresno County supervisor against Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco. If Karbassi wins, he would have to vacate his District 2 seat representing northwest Fresno.
A few candidates filed — officially for 2028, but possibly with an eye on a special election. David Borchardt, a real estate agent, filed for 2028 but said he anticipates running next year.
Clint Olivier, a former Fresno city councilmember, who is now on the Clovis Unified school board, may give it a run.
“I’ve been extremely humbled by the sheer number of my neighbors who are asking me to dust off my boots and saddle up to return to City Hall, but let’s face it: There isn’t even an election yet. I’m rooting for my friend Mike to win his race for supervisor this November, but it’s still a long way off, and the question of who will replace him is far from people’s minds. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it,” Olivier said.
Olivier said he plans to run for school board reelection in November “because our kids matter and the work I do for them takes priority over chasing a different seat that may or may not open up months from now.”
Another person who said he is interested in a special election is SJ Van Horn, director of CBD Center.
Matthew Gillian, who ran for the seat against Karbassi in 2024, has also filed. He is managing Pacheco’s campaign.
If Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig wins in November — he has 61.5% of the vote in the District 12 primary — it would create another vacancy and a 2027 special election. Clovis City Councilmember Diane Pearce said she will run and forego running for re-election for her current seat. Fellow Clovis City Councilmember Vong Mouanoutoua also said he would run.
Right, center, left party to the north, central and south
The Republican-centered parties took place in north Fresno; progressive Democrats met in downtown; and centrist Democrats met in the middle — in this case the Tower District.
The Elbow Room was the GOP gathering spot. Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Clovis, supervisor candidate Margaret Mims, state Senate candidate Nathan Magsig, R-Clovis, and Board of Equalization candidate Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield — who did not attend — hosted the party.
Tangipa had a relaxing night, as he ran unopposed. He did take a moment to pronounce his middle name, Jariustokaeutulelei, for The Bee. That’s 19 letters for the record.
Elected leaders such as Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld and Clovis City Councilmembers Drew Bessinger and Matt Basgall were among the hundred or so supporters who filtered in and out during the night.
In the Tower District, Gurm, Parra and District 3 candidate Fernando Alvarez hosted a party at Sequoia Brewing Co.
Dyer spent most of the night there, along with several other City Hallers, including City Manager Georgeanne White, and councilmembers Nelson Esparza and Tyler Maxwell. Nick Richardson also made a late appearance — he also attended the Elbow Room shindig. Miguel Arias also attended.
Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea and Brandon Vang had their own parties to tend to. Perea, who is running for state Assembly, was a few blocks away at her campaign headquarters near Fresno High School. Vang partied at Chez Maryse.
Arambula held his party in downtown Frenso at Moses McQueen’s — owned in part by his brother — along with Fresno City Council District 7 candidate Ariana Martinez Lott, and Assembly candidate Sandra Celedon.
This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 2:17 PM.
