Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Patterson Nixes House Bid. Will He Battle Bigelow to Stay in Assembly?
gvw_david_taub
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 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

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

DON'T MISS

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

DON'T MISS

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

DON'T MISS

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

DON'T MISS

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

DON'T MISS

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

DON'T MISS

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

DON'T MISS

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

DON'T MISS

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

No data was found
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

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

2 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

2 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

2 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

3 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

3 hours ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

3 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

4 hours ago

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

4 hours ago

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

7 hours ago

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

7 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

PGA HOPE, now underway at Fresno’s Riverside Golf Course, is designed to introduce golf to veterans and active duty military members t...

28 mins ago

PGA HOPE at Fresno's Riverside Golf Course
28 mins ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

2 hours ago

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

2 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

2 hours ago

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

2 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

2 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

3 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

3 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend