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Clovis Councilman Whalen Files to Run for Judge

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Clovis City Councilman Bob Whalen (standing) greets fellow councilman Drew Bessinger. Whalen plans to run for judge. (GV Wire File)
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Bob Whalen, a deputy district attorney who has served as a Clovis City Councilman since 2003, plans to run for judge.

“If I’m elected, it would be a capstone to a career which has allowed me to engage in public service in a pretty unique way,” said Whalen.

Whalen, 57, filed paper work with the county election clerk to run for a vacant seat on the Fresno County Superior Court bench. Judge Denise Whitehead’s retirement in November created the opening.

“I’ve got a deep respect for that position. This is not a step I’m taking lightly. I’ve learned that over time, the judiciary is becoming an increasingly important part of our system of governance, and it needs to be occupied by people who have some experience, of course, in the courtroom and as well as the depth and breadth of experience outside of the courtroom,” Whalen said.

Whalen’s political experience includes challenging for an Assembly seat in 2012. He finished second to fellow Republican Jim Patterson in the general election, garnering 45% of the vote to 55% for the former Fresno mayor.

Now is the Time

“If I’m elected, it would be a capstone to a career which has allowed me to engage in public service in a pretty unique way.”Judicial candidate Bob Whalen

Working for the Fresno County District Attorney’s office since 1998, Whalen supervises the felony trial team. Before that, he worked in finance.

When there is a vacancy on the bench, it can be filled by an appointment from the governor, or through election. Whalen said he never considered applying before.

“Before now, it would have been premature. After 20 years working for the district attorney and 20 years as an elected official in the city council, I think at this point, somebody with that type of background will be able to be a good judge,” Whalen said. “Somebody who is going to be able to bring independence and impartiality and integrity to the bench and is not going to be motivated by something that would be disagreeable on a political level.”

Whalen is known as a conservative Republican, representing a conservative city. How might that play as a judge?

“When it comes to a judicial candidate, we are obligated to focus not on the politics of any individual issue that may be percolating out there,” Whalen answered. “We need to make sure that we continue to protect the independence and the integrity and the impartiality of the judiciary. And so regardless of what my politics might have been in the past, I’ll continue to protect that integrity of the court.”

Potential Open Clovis Council Seat

The judicial election takes place June 7. If Whalen is successful, this would cause an open seat on the Clovis City Council. Whalen’s term is up for re-election in November — the first time Clovis voters will decide a council election in an even year in recent memory.

Potential judicial candidates can pull signature-in-lieu of a filing fee paperwork. The deadline to file to run for judge is March 11.

Whalen hopes for a competitive judicial race.

“I hope that there will be somebody that would be willing to put their name on the ballot if they choose to do that. It’s a big commitment, and I want to make sure that I honor and respect anybody who does that,” Whalen said.

Whalen says he could transfer funds from his Clovis election account into his judicial account. He estimates he has a balance of $40,000.

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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