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The 2020 Mayoral Race Is On. Brand Cashes First Campaign Check.
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
March 30, 2018

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The Fresno City Council changed the city’s campaign finance law March 8, removing time limits for candidates to start collecting contributions.
While it was moot for the 2018 race, it impacts future races.


Politics 101
David Taub
Technically, the law begins April 8.
But that hasn’t stopped Mayor Lee Brand from accepting his first donation for his 2020 reelection campaign.
The Fresno Police Officers Association PAC donated $5,000 to Brand’s account Thursday (March 29).
It likely doesn’t matter that Brand jumped the gun. Fresno City Attorney Doug Sloan announced in February that he was no longer enforcing time limits for contributions. He made his decision based on a federal case in Texas.

Follow the Money

Here are additional contributions by city council candidates, for contributions over $1,000, since our initial report Monday (March 26):

Candidate Race Contributor Amount
Esmeralda Soria City Council District 1 District Council of Iron Workers Political Action League $2,500
Fresno City Firefighters IAFF Local 753 Small Contributor Committee $5,000
California Real Estate PAC (CREPAC) – California Association of Realtors Small Contributor Committee $1,000
Miguel Arias City Council District 3 Himself (loan) $10,000
Tate Hill City Council District 3 Himself (loan) $9,000
Luis Chavez City Council District 5 Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association Local No. 104 PAC $1,200
Fresno City Firefighters IAFF Local 753 $5,000
Brian Whelan City Council District 7 Fresno Firefighters Legislative Action Committee $5,000

 
Here’s a look at candidates for county-wide office:

Candidate Race Contributor Amount
Oscar Garcia Auditor-Controller Mendes for Supervisor $1,000
Buddy Mendes Supervisor District 4 Poindexter Nut Company $1,250
Rock’n JK Farms $1,250
Errotabere Ranches $2,500
Republic Services, Inc. $1,000
California Real Estate PAC $1,250
Mid-Valley Disposal $2,500
Wagner & Wagner $2,500
Terra Linda Farming $1,250
Jeremy Hughes Farms $2,500
Bryn Forhan $1,000
American Ambulance $1,250
Fresno County Public Safety Association $2,500
Dewey and Sons Inc. $1,000
Casaca Vineyards $1,250
Allbright Cotton $2,500
Donaghy Sales $1,000
Gerawan Farming Inc. $1,000
Table Mountain Rancheria $2,500
Robert Smittcamp $2,500
Brian Pacheco Supervisor District 1 Poindexter Nut Company $1,250
Rock’n JK Farms $1,250
Republic Services, Inc. $1,000
California Real Estate PAC $1,250
Casaca Vineyards $1,250
Fresno County Public Safety Association $2,500
Mid-Valley Disposal $2,500
Wagner & Wagner $2,500
American Ambulance $1,250
Terra Linda Farming $1,250
Jeremy Hughes Farms $2,500
Charanjit Batth $1,000
Donaghy Sales $1,000
Gerawan Farming Inc. $1,000
Lisa Smittcamp for District Attorney $1,000
Table Mountain Rancheria $2,500
Robert Smittcamp $2,500

 

Keyes Has Signs All Over Town

It’s hard not to notice all the signs for Fresno County Auditor-Controller candidate David Keyes. Yet, he has not filed any campaign finance forms. He says it is a technical glitch, and he plans to file paper forms with the county soon.
Keyes says he will not accept political donations. He has lent his campaign $9,900.

Police Union picks

Fresno’s police union has made most of its political endorsements.
The Fresno Police Officers Association is backing Esmeralda Soria, Luis Chavez and Brian Whelan for Fresno City Council districts 1, 5 and 7, respectively.
FPOA has not made a decision yet in District 3.
In the Fresno County Superior Court judgeship races, FPOA is backing Roger Wilson and Robert Mangano.
And, with a $5,000 donation for the 2020 campaign, FPOA is showing its early support for Mayor Brand’s reelection.

Homeschool Law Hearing

Two homeschool bills will have their first public hearing in Sacramento.
The Assembly Education Committee will hear AB 2756 and AB 2926 at its April 11 meeting, 1:30 p.m. in State Capitol Room 4202.
AB 2756, written by Assemblyman Jose Medina (D-Riverside), would have placed homeschool homes under the jurisdiction of local fire inspectors. That led to protests from the homeschool community.
Medina said he would change the bill to remove the fire inspection portion. However, the text of the bill has not been altered.
AB 2926, written by Assemblywoman Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) would create an advisory committee to consider regulations on homeschool, such as licensing teachers and mandating home inspections.

Central Unified Recall Petition Needs Corrections

Fresno County election’s officials tell GV Wire that the petition to recall Central Unified Trustees Phillip Cervantes and Richard Solis will not be accepted.
The first draft of the petition had problems with word placement and formatting. After elections officials return the petition to recall organizers (expected by Monday), the group must re-submit it within 10 days.

Clovis Council to Keep California Safe?

Clovis could be the next city to endorse a ballot measure that would slow down the early release of prisoners.
The city council will vote whether to support the Keeping California Safe Act at Monday’s (April 2) meeting. Among other things, it would reclassify certain crimes from non-violent to violent. Initiative backers say crimes like the rape of an unconscious person and sex trafficking of a child now fall under the non-violent definition.
The Fresno City Council voted unanimously in favor of the initiative March 22. Signatures are being gathered to qualify it for the November ballot.

Costa Celebrates Hmong Vet Victory

Congressman Jim Costa honors Hmong and Lao vets in Fresno (photo: Costa)
Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) held a ceremony for Lao and Hmong veterans who served in special forces allied with the American military during the Vietnam War. The Fresno Courthouse Park event Thursday recognized the extension of benefits, such as the right to be buried in American military cemeteries.
“These courageous men and women fought alongside U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, with some making the ultimate sacrifice. After nearly a decade of determination, advocacy, and bipartisan, bicameral policy efforts, we successfully enacted this legislation,” Costa said.
Costa had introduced legislation and attracted Republican support to extend burial benefits to SGU veterans since 2010.
The latest version became law when President Donald Trump signed last week’s appropriations act.
 

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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