Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer no longer has an opponent for his 2024 re-election campaign.

“I will be exiting this mayor’s race,” challenger Lourin Hubbard tells GV Wire.

Hubbard says Fresno “is going on an OK path.”

“The challenge taking on Jerry Dyer is, he’s done a lot to be seen as a moderate person. And I do believe that he’s kind of governed a little bit from his heart,” said Hubbard, a progressive Democrat.

Hubbard also said dealing with a city council that he thought would be more progressive presented another challenge.

Dyer, Hubbard Meet

Dyer and Hubbard met Tuesday night. They discussed shared views on redevelopment in southwest Fresno, and Hubbard’s desire for an LGBT liaison in the mayor’s community affairs office.

“I appreciate the fact that Lourin reached out earlier this week to let me know of his plans. I wish Lourin the best in his future endeavors,” Dyer said.

Dyer won his first term in 2020, wrapping up the election in the primary with 52% of the vote. His closest competitor was Andrew Janz, with 40%. Janz is now the Fresno city attorney.

No other mayoral candidates have filed to run.

Hubbard Eyes County Run

Hubbard said he still plans to run for office next year and might jump into the Fresno County Supervisors District 2 race.

“I look at (incumbent) Steve (Brandau) and (challenger) Garry (Bredefeld) and what they’re saying. And there’s no moderate member there. I think people are wanting a pragmatic voice,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said he raised $20,000 for his mayoral campaign. He also ran for Congress in 2022 in the special election to replace Devin Nunes. He made it to the runoff, before losing to Connie Conway.

Renzi Headed to the Airport

A City Hall source says that the Clement Renzi art piece “A Day in the Park” is headed to the new terminal at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Councilman Nelson Esparza will make the recommendation at the June 22 city council meeting.

“We need to protect this piece of history,” Esparza said at a news conference on Tuesday. ” ‘A Day in the Park’ will be preserved for generations to come under city ownership.”

The clay tile bas relief stood for 41 years on the side of a building at Shields Avenue, west of Highway 41 — first a bank, then what became the Fagbule Glass House banquet hall. A Jan. 29-30 fire destroyed the building, but the art survived despite attacks on it by vandals.

The Fagbule family donated the art to the city, in lieu of certain code enforcement fees being waived — about $40,000.

The Renzi family signed off on the city taking ownership.

“To see people rallying around saving this piece brings joy to my heart because it suggests that even in his absence, his work continues to speak for itself, and for him,” daughter Jenny Renzi said.

Renzi died in 2009.

“Clem’s intention was to have the public see this and maybe the possibility that somebody can be inspired by the piece. But the point is that he made it so everybody can enjoy it,” said sculptor Sal Esqueda, who helped Renzi with the 1981 artwork.

Tangipa Lines up Support for Assembly Run

David Tangipa kicked off his 2024 campaign for state Assembly on Tuesday — lining up several elected leaders, including the man he wants to replace.

Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, is termed out next year and is endorsing Tangipa as his successor.

Tangipa, R-Clovis, grew up in Sacramento and came to Fresno to play football at Fresno State, from 2014-2018 (between the Derek Carr and Jake Haener eras). He excelled in the classroom, winning multiple student-athlete awards.

The 27-year-old has worked as a political staffer, and is now taking his shot for public office. At a news conference — in front of Smittcamp Alumni House at Fresno State — Tangipa said lowering energy costs was his top goal.

He also supports Measure E, the proposed county sales tax to benefit Fresno State. Voters rejected a 2022 version. It could come back in 2024.

“Sacramento and the state of California are not coming to help us. So if we need local individuals who live here to participate in that, I support measures like that,” Tangipa said.

Also backing Tangipa are Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, county supervisors Steve Brandau, Buddy Mendes, Nathan Magsig, and several other elected leaders.

Former Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, has indicated in the past that he would run for the seat again as he has one more term of eligibility. But, he has been silent on his 2024 plans.

@DavidTangipa makes official announcement that he is running for state Assembly. @JimPatterson559 will be termed out and endorsing Tangipa. pic.twitter.com/YHtjgHwqOI

— David Taub (@TaubGVWire) June 13, 2023