Vince Fong’s path to re-election got easier.

His opponent in November, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, R-Springville, suspended his campaign, he announced Monday. He is endorsing Fong, R-Bakersfield.

“I’ve known Congressman Fong and worked closely with him and his team for more than a decade. While we were on opposite sides of this campaign, at the end of the day, we’re Republicans, we’re family men, and fighters who are committed to protecting individual liberty, reducing the cost of living, and maintaining safe communities for our neighbors,” Boudreaux said in a news release and video.

In an email to GV Wire, Fong thanked Boudreaux “for the hard-fought campaign he ran for this seat.”

Fong defeated Boudreaux in a special election runoff on May 21. The two were also the top vote earners in the March 5 regular primary, advancing them to the November election.

“It’s time to bring our region together and deliver big wins for the Valley,” Boudreaux said.

He also announced the formation of group called Golden State Justice PAC “supporting common sense, public safety-focused candidates across the San Joaquin Valley and California.”

Even with Boudreaux’s announcement, his name will appear on the ballot. Fong’s name will also appear for Assembly District 32, as a court ruled he could run for both offices at the same time.

Boudreaux is up for election as sheriff in 2028.

Valadao-Salas, Duarte-Gray Races Drawing Outside Money

Two of the most competitive House races, not just in the Central Valley but in the nation, are playing out on local TV and billboards.

David Valadao, R-Kings County, seeks re-election against former Assemblymember Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, in Congressional District 22.

John Duarte, R-Modesto, seeks his second term, facing former Assemblymember Adam Gray, D-Merced, in Congressional District 13.

Both are rematches from 2022.

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced the purchase of billboards attacking Salas and Gray for their Assembly votes blaming them for raising the gas tax. Increased prices of 1.7 cents per gallon took effect July 1. The billboards went up in Bakersfield and Los Banos.

NRCC is also buying several TV ads, $1.2 million worth in the Fresno area. So are several other groups.

American Action Network PAC is encouraging Valadao “to keep up the fight to secure the border.” It is spending nearly $1 million on the two races, with nearly two-thirds going to the Valadao-Salas contest.

Congressional Leadership Fund is a pro-GOP PAC, which in the past attacked Gray. It plans to spend $6.5 million on Fresno TV.

House Majority PAC supports Democrats, spending $4.2 million attacking Valadao and Duarte, and supporting Salas.

Lower Costs California attacked Duarte for raising gas prices. After this story first published, the group said it spent $1.8 million.

Parlier Peace Doesn’t Last

Peace among the Parlier City Council lasted one meeting.

There is an impasse regarding the city attorney, pitting three members of the city council against Mayor Alma Beltran.

On June 20, Janie Molina, Diego Garza and Kathy Solorio walked out at the start of the meeting which could not continue because of a lack of quorum. Beltran called for a special meeting on June 24, but she and councilmember Sabrina Rodriguez were the only attendees.

Beltran threatened to invoke a 1921 city ordinance that would compel attendance, at threat of a $225 fine. Four members did attend the June 25 council meeting — Solorio told GV Wire she was not feeling well and missed the meeting — and the city council conducted business without the usual shouting and bickering.

The council continued one closed-session item to June 26, and the fighting renewed.

The items — to discuss potential litigation — led to more arguments about who is the city attorney.

Neal Costanzo remains working, despite a 3-0 vote on June 13 to fire him. That dispute centers around whether four votes are required.

The same 3-0 majority on June 17 hired the law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to handle special assignments.

The June 26 arguments got real meta — can a special attorney attend a closed session to discuss assignments for the special attorney. Michael Youril of LCW appeared, and received a less-than-welcome reception from Beltran and Costanzo. Molina wanted to use closed session to discuss LCW’s potential assignment.

Among the insults hurled by Beltran: “you are a thug” to Solorio; and “you don’t have brain cells” to Molina.

The city did eventually break into closed session, but did not report anything out. It is unclear if Youril was eventually allowed to attend.

Clovis Planning Commission Approves Nursing Home

The Clovis Planning Commission approved a 24-hour car facility, 4-0, but not without vociferous objections from neighbors.

ARK Congregate Living wants to build an 18-unit, 6,000 square-foot facility on a vacant lot at 2901 and 2929 N. Armstrong Avenue — between Ashlan and Gettysburg avenues.

The facility would be for those terminally ill or mentally or physically disabled needing 24 hour care.

Developer Orlando Ramirez said the site is perfect because it is within 10 minutes from a hospital and fits into the neighborhood. The facility would feature six parking spots.

Neighbors complained about lowered property values, proximity to a commercial building, proximity to a school (Gettysburg Elementary is nearby), lack of notice, and lack of parking.

Opponents kept up the chatter, even after public comment ended, interrupting planning commissioners.

“Please be quiet. Please be a good citizen of Clovis. Clovis is known for good citizens and the way of life,” said commissioner Paul Hinkle during a disruption.

Alma Antuna, Brandon Bedsted, Amy Hatcher and Hinkle voted to approve the conditional use permit. Joseph Hebert was absent.

It will only go to the city council if appealed. Any interested party can make the appeal, city spokesperson Taylor Danielson said.