The two Republicans challenging for a northeast Fresno city council district met Monday night in a debate.

Hosted by GV Wire, in conjunction with CMAC and The Maddy Institute, candidates Roger Bonakdar and Nick Richardson met for one hour on the top city issues.

The candidates generally agreed on most issues posed by moderator Blake Zante.

Richardson, a Marines reservist and safety consultant, said he would be the voice to speak up for veterans.

“Leadership is standing up to establishment politicians to fight for the little guy,” Richardson said.

Bonakdar, an attorney, said public safety is his top priority.

He said he is the fighter for Fresno, using his representation of former Bitwise Industries employees as an example.

Bonakdar said he would run Fresno as a business, with residents as the clients. His background as an attorney gives him the experience edge.

“I’m going to bring tenacity and professionalism and experience to City Hall,” Bonakdar said.

Richardson said his experience in the Marine Corps gives him the edge. He said he handled administrative duties that would translate as a city councilmember.

Both men seek to replace Garry Bredefeld, who is termed out of office. Bredefeld has not made an endorsement.

Voting already started, and concludes Nov. 5.

Bonakdar raised $108,449 from Jan. 1 through Sept. 21 , 2024. Richardson raised $39,352.

Public Safety

Bonakdar pointed out several times his endorsements from the law enforcement community.

“The key way to (push back against crime) is increasing police presence,” Bonakdar said.

Richardson said his Marine Corp status made him the law and order candidate. He wants to invest in mental health of police and fire.

Both candidates supported Proposition 36, which would roll back some measures of Prop 47 — the 2014 ballot measure that reduced penalties for crimes like theft.

Homeless Crisis

Richardson agreed with the city’s new policy to clear homeless encampments. He wanted services on the back end, which he called the “four T’s”: tough love, triage, temporary housing, and training.

“We need something on the backside to make sure that the homeless in these encampments don’t become the homeless somewhere else in Fresno,” Richardson said.

Bonakdar wants the city and county to work together to provide services.

“I want to engage our nonprofits … to get together with the city and the county to put together navigation centers,” Bonakdar said.

He said such centers worked in San Diego.

“The cash cannon stops with me. I want results. I want measured metrics,” Bonakdar said.

Cost of Living/Housing

Bonakdar said there is no more land in District 6 to build.

“We have boxed ourselves in,” he said.

Bonakdar wants to work with the county on a tax sharing agreement to be able to build more housing. He said housing brings jobs and economic prosperity.

Richardson said he cannot afford to buy a home in Fresno. He agreed that the city and county need to work on a tax-sharing agreement and increase supply.

City-county relations have been strained over the tax-sharing agreement, which expired years ago and has slowed down new development in the city.

Richardson also vowed to fight against rent control.

Richardson criticized the city’s purchase of the distressed La Hacienda mobile home park.

“More government is usually the problem,” Richardson said.

Both candidates opposed Proposition 33, a state ballot measure that could make it easier for cities to establish rent control.

Local School Bonds

Both candidates opposed Measure H, a $500 Fresno Unified bond, but supported Measure A, a Clovis Unified bond.

“Throwing more money at the problem is not the solution,” Richardson said of Measure H.

The increase in property taxes in Measure H concerned Bonakdar.

“I’m not sold it has value for our children,” Bonakdar said.

GOP Endorsement

The Fresno County Republican Party initially made a dual endorsement of both Bonakdar and Richardson. The party changed its view in August to only endorse Bonakdar, without a full explanation.

The endorsement move happened after Richardson’s answering of a questionnaire from an LGBT group during the primary garnered social media publicity.

Richardson said he could not say why he lost the endorsement, but he makes three promises to voters — to show up and have conversations; tell the truth; and no one will outwork him.

“I was willing to respond to answer the call and show up,” Richardson said. “If I lose endorsements in the process, I believe it says more about them, than it says about me.”

Bonakdar re-registered as a Republican after the March 5 primary. Before he was no party preference.

He explained that when he met voters at the door, “(they) fairly and reasonably expect you to pick a camp.”

The Republican Party — with its beliefs in limited government, lower taxes, and family values — best expressed his views, Bonakdar said.