Confirming the swirling political rumors, Assemblyman Jim Patterson announced he is running for Fresno County Supervisor in 2024.

“I’m often asked. All right, Jim, what’s going to happen when you come back home? I’m going to just be as frank as I can. I am coming home,” Patterson, R-Fresno said on KMJ radio as a fill-in host Wednesday.

He talked about how being in the legislature for the last 10 years has taken him away from his family.

“I’m not complaining, but I’m coming home. But I’m not going to simply fade off into the woodwork. I’m not yet ready to retire … I have a lot of options that have been presented to me. Likely I will come home and probably seek a seat on the Board of Supervisors here in Fresno County,” Patterson said.

Easily winning election last week for his sixth Assembly term, Patterson is now termed out and cannot run for the Assembly again or for the state Senate.

A 2024 run could pit him against incumbent Steve Brandau, R-Fresno. The District 2 supervisor, first elected in 2019, has already filed to run again in 2024.

Brandau welcomes the challenge.

“My plan is to run for supervisor in District 2. I feel I’ve done a good job representing the people in my district. The voters are always the ones who decide,” Brandau said.

Patterson praised current supervisors Brian Pacheco and Sal Quintero (both Democrats), saying he can work well with Republicans and Democrats.

Both Patterson and Brandau attended the same election night party last week and seemed to have a cordial conversation. It is unknown if they discussed future electoral plans.

With Patterson leaving, that means an open seat for a likely north Fresno or Clovis conservative is available for Assembly District 8. Brandau, Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld (who is termed out in 2024), and Clovis City Councilman Vong Mouanoutoua are names that immediately come to mind. Soon-to-be former Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, is another possibility.

Bigelow and Patterson were drawn into the same district. Bigelow bowed out, but still has one term of eligibility remaining.

Bredefeld said everything is on the table for 2024.

“We have tremendous support and encouragement to continue fighting on behalf of my constituents on the county as well as the state level. When I make my ultimate decision, which will be shortly, it will be based on how I can best serve our community and I can assure you I will run regardless of whomever or how many are running against me. Our fight to improve our community will continue and we intend to win the fight,” Bredefeld sent in a Thursday morning text to Politics 101.

Bill McEwen contributed to this report.

Also in Politics 101…

• What’s next for Andrew Janz as Fresno City Attorney.
• Lourin Hubbard files to run for mayor.

A Big Pay Raise Likely for Janz

Fresno City Attorney-designee Andrew Janz will receive a hefty pay hike over his salary as a prosecutor with the Fresno County District Attorney’s office.

County salary documents show Janz earned $131,950 as of October 2021. His city predecessor Douglas Sloan earned $227,000 in base salary. Rina Gonzales, the interim city attorney, earned the same.

Gonzales was also a finalist interviewed by the Fresno City Council, sources say.

The Fresno City Council meets in closed session on Thursday to hammer out a contract for Janz. A public vote on the contract is expected on Dec. 1.

Janz ran for Congress in 2018 and Fresno mayor in 2020. While he did not win, he showed the ability to raise major funds — $9 million and $300,000 respectively.

After Janz, a Fresno Democrat, lost to Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Tulare, in 2018, he founded the Voter Protection Project, a PAC dedicated to helping federal Democratic candidates.

Federal records do not show Janz receiving any money from VPP, either as an employee or candidate. His one-time campaign manager, Heather Grevenworth (formerly Greven), serves as VPP’s executive director and draws a salary from the campaign account.

VPP has spent money opposing Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield — who will represent parts of Fresno starting January — in the past.

Janz recently hosted a fundraiser at his home for the Fresno Young Democrats, with special guest state Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Hubbard Files to Run for Mayor

When Lourin Hubbard ran in a special congressional election in April, he indicated that win or lose, he might run for a city office.

Hubbard, a state water manager, filed paperwork last week for his intention to run for mayor in 2024.

Incumbent Jerry Dyer filed his intention for re-election in August 2020, before he even took office in Jan. 2021.

In his last campaign filing report covering the period through June 2022, Dyer has $177,000 cash on hand.

Hubbard released a statement late Wednesday about his plans.

“I have begun receiving questions and encouragement about my possible candidacy for Mayor of Fresno. First and foremost I’m a father and a husband. I will spend the holidays talking and praying with my family and friends before coming to a final decision,” he said.

“I made the choice to file my paperwork to run now so that if I choose to move forward with this next step in public service we can hit the ground running instantly.”

Earlier this year, Hubbard advanced to a runoff in the race to complete the term of Rep. Devin Nunes, who resigned in January. Hubbard lost to Connie Conway, R-Tulare, garnering 38% of the vote.