Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
2020 Mayoral Election Now a Race — Janz Files to Run
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
April 29, 2019

Share

Andrew Janz ended speculation whether he is going to run for mayor of Fresno by filing his paperwork Friday afternoon.
He becomes the second candidate in the 2020 mayoral race, joining incumbent Lee Brand. The primary is scheduled for March 3, 2020.


“I welcome the opportunity to have voters compare my well-earned experience and record of accomplishment, highlighted by creating over 5,000 good-paying jobs with benefits, to his complete lack of experience and a track record that consists of saying ‘I’m not Devin Nunes.’ Will his new campaign be ‘I’m not Lee Brand’? To which I reply, “Yes, young man, you’re right. You’re not Lee Brand. You aren’t even close.”Mayor Lee Brand
Although the Fresno mayoral race is nonpartisan, Janz is a Democrat, and Brand is a Republican.
A prosecutor in the Fresno County District Attorney’s office, Janz ran a high-profile campaign for Congress in 2018 against Devin Nunes. Although he did not win, Janz raised millions of dollars and earned a piece of the national spotlight.
According to Open Secrets, he raised $9 million, with $22,000 cash on hand remaining.
A recent GV Wire poll on the mayoral race shows Janz faring well, defeating Brand in a theoretical one-on-one contest. In a potential three-way race that includes Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, the poll indicates that Dyer and Janz would make the November run-off.

Mayor Welcomes Challenger

Brand took a shot at his potential new competitor, asking voters to compare records.
“I welcome the opportunity to have voters compare my well-earned experience and record of accomplishment, highlighted by creating over 5,000 good-paying jobs with benefits, to his complete lack of experience and a track record that consists of saying ‘I’m not Devin Nunes.’ Will his new campaign be ‘I’m not Lee Brand’? To which I reply, “Yes, young man, you’re right. You’re not Lee Brand. You aren’t even close.”
Brand started campaigning for re-election last year. Campaign finance data shows he has $445,000 cash on hand.
Janz had no further comment on his filing, but does say he will hold a news conference later this week.

Supporters, Critics Comment

Janz’s announcement excited Fresno County Democratic Party chairman Michael Evans.
“Andrew Janz would be an excellent mayor of Fresno. He showed during his 2018 campaign for congress that he has the skill set and the commitment to our community to be a strong and effective leader for Fresno,” Evans said.
His former communications advisor on his congressional campaign, Clara Varner, looks forward to the run.
“It’s no secret that Fresno is ready for a change in leadership, for far too long we have been represented by politicians that don’t do enough for our community. I know Andrew Janz won’t forget about us. I’m looking forward to a formal announcement and hope he jumps in with both feet,” Varner, who is also president of Fresno County Young Democrats, said.
Michael Der Manouel Jr., a Fresno businessman, political commentator, and Nunes supporter, praised Brand and questioned Janz’s experience.
“I think a race for mayor should feature big contrasts, so a city can decide its direction. Mayor Lee Brand was one of the most consequential city council members in Fresno history, and he leads a city as financially healthy as any in the country, much of that directly related to his work. Andrew Janz has no executive nor business experience, but he definitely wants to get elected to something. We will see what Fresno wants in 2020, an experienced citizen leader, or not that,” Der Manouel said.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

DON'T MISS

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

DON'T MISS

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

DON'T MISS

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest 17 in Domestic Violence Crackdown

DON'T MISS

What’s Next for Fresno Smoke Shop Ordinance: Lawsuit, Veto, Override?

DON'T MISS

Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Arrested in 2004 Cold Case Rape and Murder

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Willie Ray Butler

DON'T MISS

California’s Economy Ranks Fourth Worldwide, Surpasses Japan

UP NEXT

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

UP NEXT

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

UP NEXT

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest 17 in Domestic Violence Crackdown

UP NEXT

What’s Next for Fresno Smoke Shop Ordinance: Lawsuit, Veto, Override?

UP NEXT

Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Arrested in 2004 Cold Case Rape and Murder

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Willie Ray Butler

UP NEXT

California’s Economy Ranks Fourth Worldwide, Surpasses Japan

UP NEXT

Fresno County Traffic Stop Leads to $600K Cocaine Bust

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

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

52 minutes ago

Fresno Police Arrest 17 in Domestic Violence Crackdown

60 minutes ago

What’s Next for Fresno Smoke Shop Ordinance: Lawsuit, Veto, Override?

2 hours ago

Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

2 hours ago

Fresno Man Arrested in 2004 Cold Case Rape and Murder

4 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Willie Ray Butler

4 hours ago

California’s Economy Ranks Fourth Worldwide, Surpasses Japan

4 hours ago

Fresno County Traffic Stop Leads to $600K Cocaine Bust

4 hours ago

Fresno Ranks Fourth in US for an Affordable Night Out

4 hours ago

New US SEC Chair Says Crypto Sector Deserves Clear Regulations

4 hours ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Most stock indexes climbed on Friday, with Wall Street buoyed by technology-related shares, while the dollar had ...

5 minutes ago

5 minutes ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

A drone view shows containers at the terminals at the port in Kwai Chung in Hong Kong, China, April 3, 2025. (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo)
7 minutes ago

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

23 minutes ago

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

52 minutes ago

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

Fresno police are seeking two suspects who stole several boxes of shoes from the WSS store on East Cesar Chavez Boulevard on February 20, 2025.
60 minutes ago

Fresno Police Arrest 17 in Domestic Violence Crackdown

2 hours ago

What’s Next for Fresno Smoke Shop Ordinance: Lawsuit, Veto, Override?

A Tulare County jury convicted Isaiah Elias Garcia, 25, on Friday, March 28, 2025, of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing a man during a 2019 fight in Visalia. (Tulare County DA)
2 hours ago

Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

Robert Castillo (left), 61, of Fresno, has been arrested in the 2004 murder and sexual assault of Barbara Lee after DNA evidence linked him to the cold case and two additional rape investigations. (Fresno County SO)
4 hours ago

Fresno Man Arrested in 2004 Cold Case Rape and Murder

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend