Kingsburg councilmember Jewel Hurtado won’t seek re-election
Kingsburg City Councilmember Jewel Hurtado, who became a powerful voice for young people in the Valley, is not seeking re-election for a second term in office. Hurtado’s seat is up for election in November 2022.
“After much consideration, I have decided not to seek a second term on the Kingsburg City Council,” said Hurtado in a statement that she made public on Aug. 17 on her social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. “It has been a great privilege to represent District 1 for the past four years and I am proud of the work we have put in.”
Hurtado could not be reached for comment about plans after her term is over. In her statement Hurtado said she was looking forward to having more time “to pour into my family.”
However, she reiterated that she has no plans to leave her “role of service.”
“Thank you to my friends, family, my wonderful neighbors, and my constituents for putting your faith in me as a19 year old candidate and helping us bring meaningful change to our beautiful town,” said the 23-year-old who was born and raised in the Central San Joaquín Valley.
Hurtado, who graduated from Kingsburg High School in 2017, ran for city council at age 19, winning the November 2018 election by 8 votes to unseat a one-term incumbent. She became the youngest female council member to serve in the council.
Hurtado, who has experience in community organizing, received support from many of her social media followers about her decision with many thanking her for her service in representing the city and wishing her the best in her future.
Some were concerned that now that she is no longer running, their choices on the ballot won’t be appealing as it might be too late for a progressive candidate to run for that seat.
As of Aug. 24, the Fresno County Election office’s candidate list for the general election showed Hurtado as the incumbent and challengers Lee Darling, David M. Silva, and Nathan Williams for the non-partisan office.
The same day she made the announcement, Hurtado also twittered a photo of her as a 19-year-old new mother holding her few-months-old baby with the caption “Today was a hard day for me, but so good at the same time. Look at this picture. 19 & bold. (p.s. how cute is Anthony?)
Hurtado had an eventful 2021 – from facing a recall to a DUI case to graduating from Fresno City College with her AA in Sociology to transferring to California State University, Bakersfield to work on her bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Hurtado, who identifies as bisexual, fought for Pride Month in June 2021 to be recognized in Kingsburg. It led to the launch of a recall effort by opponents to oust her from the city council. Kingsburg has never recognized LGBTW+ Pride Month, and the Fresno County Republican Party pushed back.
Hurtado organized a Pride celebration in June 2021 that drew about 250 supporters – including community activist Dolores Huerta – to a downtown park.
Hurtado dodged the recall as it failed to get enough valid signatures from registered voters in her district.
She also pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence in October 2021.
According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s report, Hurtado was arrested on suspicion of DUI on June 21, 2021, admitting to consuming alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel. A pre-trial date is set for Oct. 25, 2022. according to court records.
In 2019, Hurtado introduced then-presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders during a stop in Fresno.
Hurtado is currently a board member of the Fresno Economic Opportunity Commission (Fresno EOC) elected to represent the southeast portion of Fresno County.
She is also secretary and founding board member of Rural Communities Rising, a multi-generational, female, minority lead organization in the Valley.
Hurtado is also a board member of the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee District 4 as well as a delegate and rules committee member for the Democratic National Committee appointed by Sanders.
Hurtado has been involved with the Fresno County Young Democrats, and the California Latina Democrats.
Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 25 de agosto de 2022, 5:30 a. m..
