District 1 supervisor candidates face voters at Fresno County forum

Fresno County’s next supervisor for District 1 will help decide the issues residents feel most quickly: road repairs, water, public safety, land use and the county budget that touches small cities across the west side. Six candidates laid out their case at a forum Monday evening, giving voters a first broad look at who could replace longtime Supervisor Brian Pacheco in a seat that runs from Firebaugh to Kerman, Mendota and San Joaquin.

The forum began at 6 p.m. and was organized by GV Wire with the Community Media Access Collaborative and the Maddy Institute. Blake Zante of the Maddy Institute was set to moderate the discussion, which was designed to focus on each candidate’s vision for District 1 and the day-to-day county decisions that matter in west-side communities. The lineup included nonprofit executive Eric Payne, Firebaugh Councilmember Felipe Perez, Mendota Unified Trustee Lupe Flores, West Hills Community College Trustee Omar Hernandez, Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco and Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi.

The open seat is drawing attention because Brian Pacheco is not seeking reelection. First elected to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in 2014, he won reelection in June 2022 to a third four-year term and is now running for California Assembly District 27. His departure creates a rare opening in a district where one supervisor can influence county spending, road priorities, sheriff’s resources and long-term water planning. Pacheco also serves on the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency and the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency, underscoring how central water management is to the west side.

The race is on the county’s calendar for the June 2 primary, with a November 3 general election if needed. District 1 covers a stretch of Fresno County where agricultural water, growth around small cities and basic county services collide, making the contest about more than campaign language. It is about who will handle the practical demands of a region that depends on county government for both daily maintenance and long-range planning.

The April 27 forum followed another District 1 candidate event on March 5 at Fresno City College’s West Fresno Center, where five candidates participated and Karbassi did not attend. Together, the forums gave west-side voters a clearer view of a crowded field for one of the county’s most consequential local offices.