Last week, Michael Maher announced he is running for state Senate in 2026. However, doing so will require a move.

At his current Kingsburg residence, Maher lives in Senate District 16 held by Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield. However, he is running in SD 12, a more GOP friendly locale.

Maher, a Republican, tells Politics 101 he is planning to soon move to a family citrus ranch north of Sanger. That would put him in SD 12.

“Technically, we already have the property. We’re just planning remodeling. I just haven’t swapped voter registration for us,” Maher said.

He has time. The primary is June 2026, and a candidate has to be registered to vote in the district at the time of filing, by early 2026.

Maher is a Navy veteran and former FBI special agent who is now a businessman.  He has run twice for Congress, losing in 2022 and 2024 to Jim Costa, D-Fresno.

A state Senate candidacy means a possible run against Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, R-Clovis. Both are looking to succeed Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, who terms out after 2026.

Magsig reports receiving $11,800 in contributions for his state Senate run. He also has $271,098 in the bank for his Magsig for Supervisor 2028 account, as of Dec. 31.

Maher reports $33,667 remaining in his congressional account but debts of $55,972.

Related Story: With Grove Terming Out, Maher Announces State Senate Bid

Guillermo vs. Costa?

There are rumblings that radio station owner and GOP pundit Guillermo Moreno will run for Congress. He tells Politics 101 that he may be interested.

“I’m humbled at the possibility of public service … I can tell you, I love the 21st Congressional District. I’m prayerfully considering it,” Moreno said.

Politics 101 has learned that a poll tested Moreno against Costa, who is in his 11th consecutive term. Costa represents Congressional District 21, covering most of Fresno, down to Visalia.

The congressional hopefuls Costa has defeated could almost field a baseball team. Since 2004, eight have run against Costa in the general election: Maher (twice) and Johnny Tacherra (twice), Roy Ashburn, Jim Lopez, Andy Vidak, Brian Whelan, Elizabeth Heng, and Kevin Cookingham. Costa was unopposed in 2006.

SCCCD Chancellor Hosting Gov Candidate

State Center Chancellor Carole Goldsmith is hosting a fundraiser next week for Toni Atkins, candidate for governor. The event takes place on Thursday, Feb. 27, at the home of Goldsmith and her wife, Melissa Blake.

Atkins, the former president pro tem of the state Senate, is in a crowded field of hopefuls to succeed Gavin Newsom in 2026. Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond are also candidates.

Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, the most prominent Republican in the field, recently announced his candidacy.

And, there is also the wild card if Kamala Harris will run.

The campaign is asking $50 to $10,000 to attend.

Media Personality Leaves Zoo to Work for Bredefeld

Jennifer Ortega left her position at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to work for Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld.

Ortega, a one-time news reporter at KSEE 24/CBS 47, worked one year as the zoo’s senior communications strategist. Her official title with Bredefeld is “community relations and digital media manager.”

On the Poli-Ticker

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Fresnan Nicholas Lutton to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

And the nonprofit Central Valley Community Foundation named two new board members: attorney Annu Bezwada and Fresno State College of Social Sciences Dean Elizabeth Lowham.