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Outgunned, Franco Hopes Issues Lead to Primary Success
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
May 11, 2018

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Ricardo Franco’s underdog status doesn’t concern him. He’s too busy campaigning.
Franco is one of three Democrats in the 22nd Congressional District race. Republican Devin Nunes occupies the seat, running for re-election.
Nunes holds a distinct name recognition, fundraising and party registration advantage.
In the Top-Two primary system, 34-year-old Franco hopes to beat out the other Democrats in a November general election showdown: prosecutor Andrew Janz, and health care executive Bobby Bliatout.
When it comes to fundraising, Nunes has $4.5 million in the bank, as of March 31. Janz has $612,273 cash on hand. Bliatout holds $25,459; Franco only has $2,188, and lists $15,529 in campaign debt.
Franco grew up in Fresno. Prior to joining the race, he worked for Deep Discount Servers, which fixes old computer servers and resells them on the open market.
Despite the long odds of election success, he is not deterred.
In his Take 5 interview, Franco talks about:

—What makes him the most qualified candidate.

—How would he handle a potential Trump impeachment vote.

—What he is and he is not hearing from voters on the campaign trail.

—How he would bring more federal dollars for Valley water projects.

—His solutions to farm labor shortages.

Watch the video above.

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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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