Fresno supervisor Garry Bredefeld returns to foul brand of identity politics | Opinion
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bredefeld dismissed advocates from Transportation For All during a June 18 meeting.
- Supervisors adopted an oversight ordinance criticized for targeting LGBTQ+ groups.
- Bredefeld denied inflammatory remarks despite clear audio evidence from the meeting.
The real Garry Bredefeld is back.
No, not the imposter who last year pretended to be amiable and somewhat open-minded for the sole purpose of getting elected to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
Turns out that version of Bredefeld was a fabrication. Replaced by the loud-mouthed bigot we came to know and loathe during his two most recent terms on the Fresno City Council.
After a relatively promising start to his supervisor tenure during which he focused on actual county issues, Bredefeld has returned to his foul brand of identity politics designed to marginalize community groups that aren’t 100% in lockstep with his slot canyon views.
Bredefeld showed his true colors during the June 18 meeting of the Fresno County Transportation Authority policy board when he hissed “I don’t give a sh– about those people” in reference to Transportation For All, a coalition of more than 20 community organizations that agreed to merge with the county’s official Measure C renewal effort rather than sponsor a competing transportation tax initiative during the 2026 election cycle.
In my years covering local politics, never have I heard an elected official spout such dismissive, hateful intolerance. Even his fellow Republicans on the FCTA board were taken aback.
Bredefeld’s naked prejudice was again on full display Tuesday when the Board of Supes narrowly adopted an ordinance purportedly meant to increase oversight but in reality is little more than a thinly veiled assault against county residents who identify as LGBTQ+.
“We have an obligation to make sure our county departments don’t go woke, don’t buy into the nonsense that unfortunately involves gender ideology and trans and all the other stuff that’s destructive to our children,” said Bredefeld, also roping in the public libraries.
What did Department of Health employees do to incur Bredefeld’s prejudiced wrath?
A few had the gall to attend last month’s Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade in the Tower District and pass out condoms, lubricant and educational materials concerning safe sex and the avoidance of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
County health officials going out in the community promoting public health to residents? What nerve!
A 2024 Gallup poll found that 9.3% of adults in the U.S. identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual – up from 3.5% in 2012 when the first such survey took place.
There’s another 10% of county residents Bredefeld doesn’t give a sh– about.
Who does Bredefeld give a sh– about? Only people who think like him. Everyone else can take a flying leap into a puddle.
Bredefeld’s illogical denial
I was in the room during the Fresno Council of Governments board meeting on June 26 during which Bredefeld and Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez exchanged angry words about Bredefeld’s coarse statement made during the previous week’s FCTA meeting.
And like everyone else present, I heard Bredefeld angrily deny saying what could clearly be heard on the audio recording.
The following day, Bredefeld phoned me up and demanded a correction. Huh?
It turned out Bredefeld wasn’t upset about me quoting him, accurately, regarding his views about Transportation For All. He’s proud of what he said and wore it like a badge of honor.
But Bredefeld insisted his words during the Fresno COG meeting were misinterpreted. Bredefeld told me he thought Martinez said he didn’t give a sh– about county residents outside his district (north Fresno and a slice of Clovis) – not Transportation For All – and his denial was made in that light.
After listening patiently, I explained to Bredefeld that his explanation didn’t hold water. Doesn’t he understand that Transportation For All is made up of Fresno County residents, including folks who live in his district?
“Of course I do,” he replied, refusing to budge from his shaky position.
Demagogues don’t like it when confronted by logic.
Because fairness and nuance are integral to my job, this is the part when I credit Bredefeld for demanding more transparency during the county’s opaque budget process and bringing forth ordinances designed to curb copper wire thieves and illegal dog breeders.
See? Being diplomatic isn’t that difficult. But it requires sensitivity and tact – two qualities Bredefeld sorely lacks.
Fresno’s most unlikable politician is back. Truth is, he never left.
