Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

16 minutes ago

US House Republicans Head Toward Final Vote on Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut Bill

1 hour ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

1 hour ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

1 hour ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

2 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

23 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

23 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

1 day ago
Soria Has Big Fundraising Lead in Valley's Only Open State Seat
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
May 4, 2022

Share

Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria has established a big financial lead in the open Assembly District 27 seat. In figures reported to the state last week, Soria, a Democrat, raised more than the three other contestants in the race combined. She reports contributions of $378,925.

Of the eight seats in the state Legislature on the June primary ballot, only one is wide open — Assembly District 27 representing parts of Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.

“The contributions made across the Central Valley have shown just how hungry Assembly District 27 is for change. With this level of support, it is clear that I am in a position to advance in the June Primary and win outright in November,” Soria said in a news release.

The seven other local state Senate and Assembly seats follow a reality in politics — incumbents dominate and fundraising never stops.

Even if a candidate achieves more than 50% of the vote June 7, the top two in each race will advance to the November general election, regardless of political party.

An Open AD 27 Seat

Soria has a long list of support — from other Democratic elected leaders to endorsements and financial support from labor groups.

She also transferred funds from her city council account which include some unusual lines on her ledger. Councilman Garry Bredefeld contributed $500 to Soria in 2018. That money is now transferred over. Bredefeld and Soria are often at political odds on the city council dais. Both have resorted to name-calling several times.

Another 2018 transfer of note — $500 from Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno. Soria ran against Costa for Congress in 2020 but failed to advance beyond the primary.

Former Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin is second of the four candidates in the District 27 race, raising $110,436. Fresno City Councilman Mike Karbassi has raised $71,005.

Granville Homes, Inc. contributed $4,900 to Karbassi. Darius Assemi is the president/CEO of Granville and the publisher of GV Wire.

The maximum an individual or company can contribute is $4,900 per election cycle; political action and small contributor committees can give more.

From left to right: Esmeralda Soria, Mike Karbassi, Mark Pazin, and Amanda Fleming are running to represent Assembly District 27. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Three in Six-Figures for SD 16

The most fastidious challenge to an incumbent in Senate District 16, where three candidates have raised six figures — incumbent Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield, Democrat Nicole Parra of Bakersfield, and Republican David Shepard of Porterville.

Hurtado moved to Bakersfield and switched districts to avoid an incumbent vs. incumbent showdown against Anna Caballero, D-Merced, in SD 14. The move seemed to financially pay off for both candidates.

Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, is in his last election before terming out, and he does not have a challenger. At a war chest of nearly a half-million dollars, he could be a very popular man among fellow Republican office-seekers in the future.

State Legislature Fundraising

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

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

DON'T MISS

US Paves Way to Resume Ethane Exports to China Amid Trade Truce

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Won’t Consider Reviving Montana Abortion Parental Consent Law

DON'T MISS

US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iran Oil Trade, Hezbollah, Treasury Dept Says

DON'T MISS

Keep Pets Safe on 4th of July: Fresno County Animal Shelter Offers Tips

DON'T MISS

US House Republicans Head Toward Final Vote on Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

DON'T MISS

Supreme Court’s Conservatives Leaned Into US Culture Wars With Transgender Cases

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 35,000 Acres, More Evacuations Ordered

DON'T MISS

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

UP NEXT

Keep Pets Safe on 4th of July: Fresno County Animal Shelter Offers Tips

UP NEXT

There Are Fresno Area Fireworks Shows Galore Through Sunday

UP NEXT

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

UP NEXT

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

UP NEXT

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

UP NEXT

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

UP NEXT

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

UP NEXT

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

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

US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iran Oil Trade, Hezbollah, Treasury Dept Says

1 hour ago

Keep Pets Safe on 4th of July: Fresno County Animal Shelter Offers Tips

1 hour ago

US House Republicans Head Toward Final Vote on Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut Bill

1 hour ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

1 hour ago

Supreme Court’s Conservatives Leaned Into US Culture Wars With Transgender Cases

1 hour ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 35,000 Acres, More Evacuations Ordered

1 hour ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

1 hour ago

There Are Fresno Area Fireworks Shows Galore Through Sunday

2 hours ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

2 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

17 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

AAA projects a record 72.2 million people in the U.S. will travel 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday period from l...

16 minutes ago

16 minutes ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken March 20, 2025. (Reuters File)
28 minutes ago

US Paves Way to Resume Ethane Exports to China Amid Trade Truce

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2024. (Reuters File)
34 minutes ago

US Supreme Court Won’t Consider Reviving Montana Abortion Parental Consent Law

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump?s sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 27, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iran Oil Trade, Hezbollah, Treasury Dept Says

1 hour ago

Keep Pets Safe on 4th of July: Fresno County Animal Shelter Offers Tips

A view shows the dome of the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 3, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US House Republicans Head Toward Final Vote on Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut Bill

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2024. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

Demonstrators attend a Transgender Day of Visibility rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 31, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Supreme Court’s Conservatives Leaned Into US Culture Wars With Transgender Cases

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

Search

Send this to a friend