The Fresno County Republican Party is now endorsing just one candidate for Fresno City Council.

Initially the party endorsed both Roger Bonakdar and Nick Richardson for Fresno City Council District 6 in the northeast part of the city.

But, on Aug. 13, the county party changed its mind in an executive session. The group now solely endorses Bonakdar.

“Concern was expressed that Mr. Richardson had made false representations to the committee in order to secure an endorsement. The committee expects all candidates to conduct themselves with integrity and to be forthright with their views when seeking our support and when representing the party and the community,” Fresno County Republican Party Chair Liz Kolstad told Politics 101.

Kolstad would not elaborate what misrepresentations Richardson made. Online buzz from local Republicans indicated answers he made to an LGBTQ Fresno survey could be the culprit.

Richardson was the only one of four candidates to respond to the questionnaire, made during the primary. His answers might have offended the more conservative party base.

He said “people should be able to enjoy any type of legal entertainment they like” when asked about drag shows. He even said he actively seeks “a good drag brunch from time to time.”

Richardson also supports “age-appropriate” material in local libraries on sexuality. The library issue became a major deal last year, with the Fresno County Board of Supervisors enacting a special board to review library policy on books.

A proposed state law seeks to neuter the power of such boards.

Candidates React

Bonakdar, who was registered as no party preference until switching to Republican after the primary, spiked the ball in celebration upon news of the solo endorsement.

“The Fresno County Republican Party endorsed me for City Council because the GOP values integrity, tenacity, and professionalism. I am humbled to be the only candidate they trust to build a safer and stronger Fresno and will deliver for Fresno on Day 1 in office,” Bonakdar said in an email.

Richardson said responding to the LGBTQ Fresno survey was staying true to his principles.

“I stand for the First Amendment and the right of Free Speech, as well as keeping our children safe. The right of our posterity to learn and live free while being kept from the harm of undue influences, is clearly spelled out at the beginning of our Constitution,” Richardson said.

He added that the decision to rescind came when he had been called up by the Marine Corps for overseas duty, “and thus, unable to defend myself in person.”

“My resolve has been galvanized. My focus remains on winning the District 6 Fresno City Council election this November, serving the people of Fresno, and doing the best job possible for my constituents. I am not going to change my platform in order to conform to any group, or to appease anybody’s sanctimony,” Richardson said.

Bonakdar and Richardson are looking to succeed Garry Bredefeld, who is termed out. Bredefeld said he is not making an endorsement.

Inconsistent Positions?

While the party at one point endorsed two Republicans in a GOP-on-GOP race, it made a solo endorsement in another GOP race, and no endorsement in a third.

The local party endorsed George Radanovich for an open state Assembly seat over David Tangipa. Kolstad said the party made a stance at the insistence of the state party.

The party made no endorsement for Fresno County Supervisor District 2 (north Fresno/Clovis), where incumbent Steve Brandau faces Bredefeld. Both are conservative Republicans.

Regarding the different positions in the local races, Kolstad said she acted on behalf of the will of the committee.

Zoo Office Ownership Remains on Hold

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo wants to own the office building it leases, but the city’s planning department’s roadblocks were too much for the owner, and the planning commission.

In a complicated move, the owner — developer Lyles Diversified — wanted to split its building at Olive and West avenues into different parcels and donate the building to the zoo.

The planning commission found issues with the maneuver, and said no. The city wanted Lyles to install streetlights and fix the sidewalk.

Lyles argued that wanting to split the lot line is not making improvements and does not require fixing public utilities.

“You’re asking me to improve the city of Fresno property for a lot line adjustment and I think that’s a bit of a concern,” Lyles president Todd Sheller told the planning commission Wednesday.

Planning staff countered that making any changes to the map requires improvements to the area. No waivers would apply, planning manager Israel Trejo said.

Lyles and the city councilmember for the area, Miguel Arias, appealed the department’s decision. The Planning Commission heard the appeal Wednesday, and sided with the planning department — with the caveat that they know the city council is likely to decide anyway.

“I think this kind of matter needs to be heard at the city council level,” Planning Commission Chairman Peter Vang said.

The commission voted 6-0 to deny the appeal, siding with the department. Vang, DJ Criner, Monica Diaz, Jacqueline Lyday, Linda Calandra, and Gurdeep Shergill voted in favor. Kathy Bray was absent.

Anyone in the community may appeal the planning commission decision to the city council.

Immigrant Affairs Committee Cancels Meeting

The city Immigration and Resident Affairs Committee was set to meet on Thursday at City Hall. But the meeting was canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice. A quorum — at least half of the 10 listed members — would not be able to attend.

The committee canceled several meetings this year because of attendance problems. Chair Linda Barreto quit earlier this year, citing a lack of support from the city.

On Thursday’s agenda, Councilmember Luis Chavez — who wrote legislation in 2019 to start the committee — was slated to speak.