Your guide to Fresno County Superior Court judge seats on primary election ballot
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Fresno County voters will elect six new Superior Court judges in this cycle.
- Most superior court judges are appointed by the governor when a vacancy occurs midterm.
- Six contested judicial races feature candidates with prosecutorial and defense backgrounds.
Fresno County voters will be electing six new judges for the Fresno County Superior Court this election cycle, the most in recent history.
Superior court judges are appointed by the governor when a vacancy happens in the middle of an elected term. But when a judge serves their six-year term, they can run for reelection.
In Fresno County’s case, several judges chose not to run again, creating open seats and attracting a slew of well-known candidates, including current court commissioners, high-profile prosecutors, and longtime defense attorneys.
“I can not remember an election cycle in Fresno County where there have been this many judicial positions open,” said attorney Robert Oliver, a retired Fresno County Superior Court judge.
The ballot lists 18 judge’s races in the county, but only six are contested.
Topping the list for most campaign contributions is Jennifer Hamilton, currently a Fresno County Superior Court commissioner who handles family law cases. Hamilton is also the spouse of Jeffrey Hamilton, the presiding judge for the Fresno County Superior Court.
As of April 23, Jennifer Hamilton has raised $162,605 and has spent $52,893 with $109,711 left on hand. Her donors include some of the city’s most successful lawyers and business leaders.
Plaintiff personal injury lawyer Warren Paboojian gave Hamilton $10,000 while developer Ed Kashian dropped $20,000 into her campaign. Several current judges also donated, including $1,000 from Stephanie Negin, $1,000 from Michael Idiart and $1,000 from Bob Whalen.
Hamilton is running against Jamie Xiong-Vang, an administrative law judge for the California Department of Social Services. She has raised $64,122.
Another candidate with a hefty campaign fund is Noelle Pebet, a Superior Court commissioner, who has raked in $138,450. So far, she has spent $60,867 and has $77,582 remaining. Her top donor is Joseph Pebet who contributed $25,000. He is identified on campaign finance reports as a mechanic with United Airlines.
Noelle Pebet has also loaned herself $100,000. Five current Superior Court judges have also given her money, including Stephanie Negin, Gary Green, Kimberly Gaab, Charles Lee, William Hamlin and Michael Idiart, her uncle.
Her challenger, defense attorney Eddie Ruiz, has raised $21,954 and has spent $13,865. He has $8,088 remaining. His largest supporters including the law firm of Perez, Williams, Medina and Rodriguez who gave him $1,000. Fellow defense attorneys Kevin Little and Jon Renged, gave Ruiz $500 each. And Mark Salazar, deputy chief of the Fresno Police Department, donated $250.
Former prosecutor and current defense attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt has raised $88,201. He’s spent $40,152, with $50,608 remaining. His biggest donors are lawyer Nicholas Wagner who gave $2,094; Cencal Services Inc. with a $5,235 donation and $5,235 from Harry Bhangoo, president of Ace Freightways.
Hammerschmidt has loaned his campaign $40,000. Hammerschmidt’s opponent, public defender Jose Salazar, has raised $17,576.
The third candidate in this race is defense attorney Curtis Sok, who has rasied $30,257 with $19,741 remaining.
Defense attorney Miles Harris has raised $43,026. His donors include Everk Hospitality, that gave $3,388. Harris is running against Jennifer L. Smith, a senior deputy district attorney who has collected $39,292. Her biggest donor was from attorney Alexia Kirkland from Torrance, who gave $6,000.
Lawyer Marc Kapetan has raised $75,505 and has $62,399 left on hand. He has spent $11,105 so far. Kapetan, whose brother Jon Kapetan is a former Fresno County Superior Court judge, received $20,000 from Lance Kashian, one of Fresno’s leading development firms. Restaurateur David Fansler contributed $2,000 to Kapetan.
Running against Kapetan is Rosalina Nunez, an attorney specializing in bankruptcy, disability and social security issues. She has raised $23,632 and has spent $18,819 with $6,335 remaining.
In the race to fill the No. 6 judicial position is Ashley Paulson, Deidre Adams and Steven Ueltzen.
Ueltzen is a senior deputy district attorney in Fresno County and has raised $67,225. He has spent $32,028 and has $36,713 remaining. He has received $5,900 from Bonnie Ueltzen and $5,900 from Michael Ueltzen. Steven Ueltzen has also loaned his campaign $50,000.
Deidre Adams, a criminal defense attorney, has raised $29,582. She’s spent $21,185 and has $13,134 remaining. Adams has received contributions from attorney Kevin G. Little, who donated $3,500. Attorney Tina Wang gave her $1,000 and Nicholas Reyes contributed $500.
Former prosecutor Ashley Paulson has raised $36,774, having spent $12,301, with $24,473 remaining. Jay’s Construction has given her $10,000 and CV Truss Inc. has donated $5,000. Developer Richard Spencer has contributed $2,500 to her campaign.
Here are the candidates, their occupations and partial statements from the Fresno County Voter Information Guide.
Office No. 3
Rosalina Nunez, attorney: “Growing up here shaped who I am an instilled in me a deep respect for family faith and community. I understand the people of Fresno because I am one of them,” Nunez said.
Marc Kapetan, attorney: “My courtroom experience has given me a clear and understanding of the responsibility entrusted to a judge. I will bring independence, decisiveness, sound judgment and common sense to the bench,” Kapetan said.
Deidre Adams, senior deputy defense attorney, major crimes: “My decision to run for Superior Court Judge is rooted in perseverance, service and a lifelong commitment to justice. The path that brought me to the courtroom was not easy. Like many people in our community, I have faced challenges that required determination, discipline and faith in the power of hard work,” Adams said.
Ashley Paulson, chief prosecuting attorney, city of Fresno: “Fresno County deserves strong leadership on the bench built from real experience. For a decade, I served you as a Deputy and Senior Deputy District Attorney with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting some of the most serious and complex cases our community faces...” Paulson said.
Steven Ueltzen, senior deputy district attorney, Fresno County: “Central Valley born and raised, I am the lead prosecutor of the District Attorney’s Office’s DUI Unit, handling major injury and fatal cases. I have prosecuted over fifty homicides through conviction,” Ueltzen said.
Office No. 7
Jose L. Salazar, defense attorney: “I’m not an insider, and right now, I think we need more everyday people like me to serve. I am an underdog who needs your support and I believe in fairness integrity and standing up for our community,” Salazar said.
Jeff Hammerschmidt, governments investigations attorney: “I’ve 38 years of legal and trial experience as a prosecutor and private attorney. I served as a Deputy District Attorney for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office for more than 12 years. As a deputy district attorney, I had various assignments including on the homicide team,” Hammerschmidt said.
Curtis Sok, indigent defense attorney/small businessman: “For the past 26-years as an attorney, I have dedicated my career to protecting the constitutional rights of indigent clients. I know that safeguarding their rights protects the rights of everyone in our community, because we are all guaranteed the same rights and the same standard of justice,” Sok said.
Office No. 9
Noelle Elyse Pebet, Fresno County Superior Court commissioner: “As a Fresno County Superior Court Commissioner, I am chosen by the court’s judges to serve as a judicial officer. As commissioner I preside over civil limited, misdemeanor, domestic violence and family support cases. I rule on evidence, ensure fairness in proceedings and issue thoughtful and impartial decisions,” Pebet said.
Eddie Ruiz, attorney/farmer. Ruiz did not submit a candidate statement.
Office No. 12
Jennifer Smith, Fresno County, senior deputy district attorney: “As a lifelong prosecutor, community member and youth advocate, I have the experience and temperament to serve as judge. I was born and raised in Fresno County, the daughter of Dr. Noel & Gloria Smith and spent time being involved with our family business, Sterling & Smith Funeral Home,” Smith said.
Miles Harris, attorney, “As a father of four, I think about the world my children grow up in and the example I set for them. When they see me leave for work each day I want them to know their father chose a path rooted in fairness, service and helping people through difficult moments of their lives,” Harris said.
Office No. 4
Jennifer L. Hamilton, Fresno County Superior Court commissioner, division supervisor: “As a Fresno Superior Court Commissioner, I conduct trials, enter judgments, rule on complex legal issues and run large calendars. I have 29 years of real courtroom experience in Fresno Superior Court, including six years as a commissioner, nine years prosecuting crime and years more as an attorney advocating for children and families,” Hamilton said.
Jamie Xiong-Vang, administrative law judge: “I am prepared, experienced and committed to serving as a Fresno Superior Court Judge. Every day I evaluate evidence, make difficult decisions and uphold the Constitution, responsibilities that directly reflect the duties of a Superior Court Judge. I will continue to serve with integrity, fairness and dedication to justice for our community,” Xiong-Vang said.
