Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez upended two incumbents to join the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.

Bredefeld leads Steve Brandau with 54% of the vote in District 2; Chavez leads Sal Quintero with 56% of the vote. The two take their seats Jan. 6 at noon (the first Monday of the year, as mandated by state law).

District 4 Supervisor Buddy Mendes will assume the chair for the 2025 legislative year. The county’s charter (Section 10) essentially says the district representative who  has gone the longest without serving as chair will take the job. The one caveat is a member had to serve at least 11 months.

Mendes last served as chair in 2020, so the election of Bredefeld and Chavez will not interrupt the order. Bredefeld is slated to take the gavel in 2026.

The first meeting of the new term is scheduled for Jan. 7.

Bredefeld: We Can Get Along

Bredefeld ran a bruising campaign, not only bashing Brandau but the entire board. He criticized them for a lack of transparency, and decisions made about pandemic closures, drug distribution and the Chinese-operated Reedley lab.

And, Bredefeld and Chavez successfully fought back a county lawsuit about campaign contributions.

But, Bredefeld is optimistic he can work with his soon-to-be colleagues. He received a congratulatory text from Supervisor Nathan Magsig, as well as from Brandau.

“It’s my hope that the remaining board of supervisors want that accountability and transparency and understand that I’m going to be a voice for my constituents, just as I did at City Hall. And hopefully they are willing to work with me on that. And if not, then we will have some disagreements out on the dais,” Bredefeld told Politics 101.

Bredefeld said his first priority is a more transparent budget. He also wants to work on the tax-sharing agreement between the county and city. He says when cities do well, the county does well.

“I don’t view the city of Fresno as an adversary to the county, unlike the way I think the Board of Supervisors have conducted themselves in the past. That’s going to change. We’re a partner with the city of Fresno,” Bredefeld said.

Bredefeld supports current county lawsuits against the state. These include who gets to name Squaw Valley, a community that the federal government and state now recognize as Yokuts Valley, and the election date for district attorney and sheriff.

The county should engage the state in even more litigation, Bredefeld said. He wants to take on the state over needle exchange programs.

Chavez: Homelessness Top Priority

Chavez said working on homelessness is his top priority.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to work with the county and the city and doing some joint partnerships with regards to creating that space for folks to come out of the elements and into services,” Chavez said.

Infrastructure improvements is also on the top of Chavez’s list. He also wants to create an “Operation Clean Up” — a city program that collects large-scale trash once a year — in the county.

Chavez does not see any problems with the rest of the board.

“The election’s over. I never personally attacked any of my future colleagues,” Chavez said. “I really don’t foresee politics carrying over. What’s done is done. We need to turn the page and work together for the benefit of our residents.”

He praised Mendes as “the water guru.”

Chavez enlisted former supervisor Henry R. Perea to help with the transition.

What’s Next for Fresno City Council

With Bredefeld and Chavez leaving the Fresno City Council, that will create a vacancy for districts 6 and 5 respectively.

However, District 6 will only be vacant for a day. Roger Bonakdar and Nick Richardson are still waiting final results from the Nov. 5 election to succeed the termed-out Bredefeld. The latest results from Tuesday has Richardson with a 599-vote lead. The new term starts Jan. 7 (the first Tuesday after the first Monday, according to the Fresno City Charter).

The city council could make a one-day appointment if it so desired.

“I think the District 6 will be fine without one day of representation,” Bredefeld said.

Chavez is leaving in the middle of his second full term, with the next regular election in 2026. The charter requires the city council to call for a special election.

Although the Sec. 305(d)(2) of the charter says the council may set the special election date at least 90 days after calling for the election, it is in slight conflict with state law. State law calls for a minimum of 114 days between the call and the election date.

If the council makes the call at its first scheduled meeting of the term on Jan. 9, 2025, the earliest election date would be May 6 — any election must take place on a Tuesday, according to state law.

The council president rotates by district number. District 2 Councilmember Mike Karbassi takes the gavel for the new term, followed by Miguel Arias of District 3 in 2026.

Contenders for District 5?

During a GV Wire forum in October, Chavez mentioned Daniel Cisneros as a possible successor. Cisneros worked in Chavez’s office, earned his juris doctorate, and now works for the Fresno City Attorney’s Office.

The only snag is that Cisneros lives in northwest Fresno, and not District 5. Cisneros offered no comment about his political interest when reached by Politics 101.

Chavez wants to wait until the election is certified — the county election must be certified by Dec. 5 — before speculating on any other names.

His wife, Fresno Unified Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, just won re-election to the school board. She also serves as deputy general manager for the Westland Water District.

She has not publicly commented if she intends to run.

Brandon Vang ran in 2022, losing to Chavez, 55% to 45%. The Sanger Unified board member is considering another attempt.

“I care deeply about the future of Fresno. I’m excited and honored by the support and interest from the community,” Vang said. “I look forward to announcing my candidacy soon.”

Fresno Safety Grant

The city of Fresno announced receiving a $296,000 state grant for traffic safety. The money will be spent on bicycle and pedestrian safety programs.

“People should feel safe to walk, run, and ride their bicycles in the city of Fresno, and proper education is key to making that goal a reality,”  Mayor Jerry Dyer said in a news release.

The city said funding will go toward programs such as bicycle training courses, helmet distribution and fitting, and community bike rides.