■Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp sends voters a text on behalf of Supervisor Steve Brandau’s re-election bid.

■She criticizes opponent Garry Bredefeld, saying he is engaging in “dirty campaigning.”

■Bredefeld responds with a voter text of his own, doubling down on his accusations against Brandau.

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp is already involved in a contested county supervisor race to represent north Fresno.

Smittcamp cast her lot with incumbent Steve Brandau. She has appeared in TV ads supporting his re-election. And, now she is wading in deeper with a recent text message to voters, criticizing opponent Garry Bredefeld, a Fresno city councilmember.

“I am reaching out to you because of the dirty campaign that Garry Bredefeld is waging against Supervisor Steve Brandau and Fresno County. It is shameful the way Garry is leaving out the truth and trying to mislead you on issues to get your votes,” Smittcamp said.

Smittcamp texted voters that Bredefeld was “misleading” voters on Brandau’s record about an illegal biolab, the county foster care program, and a needle exchange program.

“What we don’t need in our county government is grandstanding, temper tantrums, and false accusations,” Smittcamp said.

Bredefeld Continues Criticism of Brandau in Text Response

Bredefeld is one of five candidates in the election, which ends March 5.

He sent voters a response text, doubling down on his accusations.

“Like you, I want a county government we can trust to do the right thing and stand up for our values. My opponent, Steve Brandau, has failed at his job,” Bredefeld wrote.

He texted that Brandau “failed” on the biolab, COVID restrictions, and protecting children.

“Those aren’t false accusations, just the truth. If expecting a politician to do the people’s business and calling them out when they don’t is grandstanding, then I’m guilty as charged,” Bredefeld wrote.

Other candidates in the race include Fresno County Assessor-Recorder Paul Dictos, social worker Dion Bourdase, and businessman Bryce Herrera.

Voters can cast ballots now through March 5. A candidate will win the election with a majority of the vote. If not, the top two vote earners advance to the Nov. 5 general election.