Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Patterson Nixes House Bid. Will He Battle Bigelow to Stay in Assembly?
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
December 14, 2021

Share

Jim Patterson will run for a final term in the state Assembly and not for Congress. But, it could lead to a re-election battle against a fellow Republican assemblyman.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub

David Taub

Politics 101

In an announcement Tuesday, Patterson, R-Fresno, endorsed Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig in the congressional race to replace Devin Nunes.

“Nathan and I have a great history of working together during his time serving on the Clovis City Council and the Board of Supervisors. He works hard for his constituents and he has the right set of values and convictions we need now more than ever in the United States Congress,” Patterson said in an email statement.

Nunes announced last week that he is stepping down in the midst of his 10th congressional term to run former president Donald Trump’s media company.


Also in Politics 101: 

  • District line changes could pit Patterson vs. Bigelow.
  • Fresno County votes on final electoral map.

District Lines Change

In the new lines proposed by the independent California Citizens Redistricting Committee, Assembly District 23 — represented by Patterson — would expand to include parts of Madera County and several mountain communities stretching to the Nevada border.

As it stands, the new boundaries would overlap the district represented by Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals. Unless the lines change between now and the Dec. 27 deadline, Patterson and Bigelow could run against each other.

Patterson and Bigelow were first elected in 2012. Under state law, both are allowed to serve 12 years, thus the 2022 election would be the final term (if elected).

Bigelow has not announced his plans for 2022.

“Until the lines are finalized by the commission, it’s premature to comment on the Assemblyman’s plans. He remains committed to serving his constituents in California’s 5th District,” his campaign staff told Politics 101.

Campaign filings, as of June 30, show Bigelow with $1 million cash on hand. Patterson reported $370,000, with approximately $30,000 raised since then.

The proposed district (above) and (below) the current Assembly districts 5 (left, Bigelow) and 23 (right, Patterson) lines.

County Map Approved Amid Controversy

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors approved a electoral map for the next decade, on a 4-1 vote, at its Tuesday meeting. Supervisor Sal Quintero was the lone dissenting vote.

 “(It) is the same status quo incumbent protection map introduced by Republican operative Alex Tavlian, a partisan advantage map that completely disregards the tsunami of authentic public input to the contrary. This Board has failed in its Constitutional duty to fairly allocate political power in Fresno County.” — Equitable Maps Coalition

An 11th-hour effort from several speakers did not dissuade the board from changing its mind from its preliminary vote on Nov. 16.

Speakers criticized the map, saying it did not change much from its current form, leaving some residents without a voice.

“We have been monitoring the Fresno County redistricting process throughout and approached the board, disappointed at the decision to move forward with a status quo map that does not respect the many communities of interests,” Luis Huerta-Silva of California Common Cause told the board.

Several groups called for the county to establish an independent redistricting committee for next time.

County attorney Daniel Cederborg confirmed to the board that the map met all legal standards.

“I believe, that this map provides effective and fair representation for all of these communities of interest. So I don’t think we’ve denied that. I think we’ve given a lot of thought to that.” —Supervisor Steve Brandau

The final map, designated D2, included slight changes of three areas to “smooth” out the map. A handful of zero-population census blocks were changed to allow for straight lines.

“I believe, that this map provides effective and fair representation for all of these communities of interest. So I don’t think we’ve denied that. I think we’ve given a lot of thought to that,” Supervisor Steve Brandau said.

The Equitable Maps Coalition criticized the adopted map in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

“(It) is the same status quo incumbent protection map introduced by Republican operative Alex Tavlian, a partisan advantage map that completely disregards the tsunami of authentic public input
to the contrary. This Board has failed in its Constitutional duty to fairly allocate political power in Fresno County,” the group said.

The lines will be in place through the 2030 election cycle.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

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

Muslim NY Mayoral Candidate Reports Threats, Jewish Ohio Lawmaker Threatened Separately

DON'T MISS

It’s Final. No Live Horse Racing at Big Fresno Fair in 2025

DON'T MISS

Clover Is Eager to Bring You Good Luck and Great Joy

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Seek Help Identifying 7-Eleven Robbery Suspects

DON'T MISS

Fresno Council Scraps Cannabis Advisory Group, Extends Advance Peace Funding

DON'T MISS

Buss Family to Sell Lakers at $10 Billion Valuation, ESPN Says

DON'T MISS

Massive Security Breach: 16 Billion Passwords Leaked From Apple, Google, Facebook Accounts

DON'T MISS

‘I’m an American, Bro!’: Latinos Report Raids in Which US Citizenship Is Questioned

DON'T MISS

Florida Congresswoman to Revive Bipartisan Immigration Bill. Valley Leaders Join the Push

DON'T MISS

LA Dodgers Say They Denied ICE Agents Access to Stadium Parking Lot

UP NEXT

It’s Final. No Live Horse Racing at Big Fresno Fair in 2025

UP NEXT

Clover Is Eager to Bring You Good Luck and Great Joy

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Seek Help Identifying 7-Eleven Robbery Suspects

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Scraps Cannabis Advisory Group, Extends Advance Peace Funding

UP NEXT

Buss Family to Sell Lakers at $10 Billion Valuation, ESPN Says

UP NEXT

Massive Security Breach: 16 Billion Passwords Leaked From Apple, Google, Facebook Accounts

UP NEXT

‘I’m an American, Bro!’: Latinos Report Raids in Which US Citizenship Is Questioned

UP NEXT

Florida Congresswoman to Revive Bipartisan Immigration Bill. Valley Leaders Join the Push

UP NEXT

LA Dodgers Say They Denied ICE Agents Access to Stadium Parking Lot

UP NEXT

Netanyahu Says Fall of Iran’s Leadership Not a Goal but Could Be a Result

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

Fresno Police Seek Help Identifying 7-Eleven Robbery Suspects

3 hours ago

Fresno Council Scraps Cannabis Advisory Group, Extends Advance Peace Funding

3 hours ago

Buss Family to Sell Lakers at $10 Billion Valuation, ESPN Says

4 hours ago

Massive Security Breach: 16 Billion Passwords Leaked From Apple, Google, Facebook Accounts

4 hours ago

‘I’m an American, Bro!’: Latinos Report Raids in Which US Citizenship Is Questioned

4 hours ago

Florida Congresswoman to Revive Bipartisan Immigration Bill. Valley Leaders Join the Push

5 hours ago

LA Dodgers Say They Denied ICE Agents Access to Stadium Parking Lot

5 hours ago

Netanyahu Says Fall of Iran’s Leadership Not a Goal but Could Be a Result

5 hours ago

Hunger Strike Begins as California Prisons Hand Down Biggest Restrictions Since COVID

6 hours ago

Sen. Alex Padilla: This Is How an Administration Acts When It’s Afraid

6 hours ago

Muslim NY Mayoral Candidate Reports Threats, Jewish Ohio Lawmaker Threatened Separately

WASHINGTON – The New York City Police Department said on Thursday its hate crime unit was probing anti-Muslim threats against mayoral ...

2 hours ago

Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani talks to people after the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in New York City., U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Muslim NY Mayoral Candidate Reports Threats, Jewish Ohio Lawmaker Threatened Separately

2 hours ago

It’s Final. No Live Horse Racing at Big Fresno Fair in 2025

3 hours ago

Clover Is Eager to Bring You Good Luck and Great Joy

Fresno police are seeking the public’s help to identify two suspects involved in a May 31, 2025, robbery at a 7-Eleven on East McKinley Avenue. (Fresno PD)
3 hours ago

Fresno Police Seek Help Identifying 7-Eleven Robbery Suspects

3 hours ago

Fresno Council Scraps Cannabis Advisory Group, Extends Advance Peace Funding

4 hours ago

Buss Family to Sell Lakers at $10 Billion Valuation, ESPN Says

4 hours ago

Massive Security Breach: 16 Billion Passwords Leaked From Apple, Google, Facebook Accounts

4 hours ago

‘I’m an American, Bro!’: Latinos Report Raids in Which US Citizenship Is Questioned

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

Search

Send this to a friend