Is running a campaign for a transportation tax while also running for state Assembly a conflict of interest? A complaint to the Fair Political Practices Commission says yes.

FPPC, the state agency in charge of campaign finance law enforcement, confirms that it received a complaint against Sandra Celedon. She is running for state Assembly in 2026 to succeed Joaquin Arambula, and until May 14, served as the principal officer for the Transportation for All Coalition.

Several environmental justice and other groups formed Transportation for All advocating for a transportation sales tax next year. The current transportation tax, Measure C, expires in 2027.

Celedon, D-Fresno, is also president/CEO of Fresno Building Healthy Communities, a nonprofit that is part of the coalition.

“Ms. Celedon’s roles as a candidate and principal officer of a general purpose committee are incompatible and would enable her to raise sums in excess of California’s campaign contribution limit for State Assembly candidates and their controlled committees by soliciting funds through her general purpose committee and directing them toward her controlled committee,” the anonymous complaint said.

As of its Jan. 27, 2025 amended statement of organization, Transportation for All Coalition said the committee was to “support/oppose local candidates and measures.”

Celedon is running for statewide office. She denied any wrongdoing.

“My simple response is: this is much ado about nothing. I invite those interested in solving the many challenges facing our county to join me in working towards the necessary solutions and leave the petty politics to those with nothing better to do,” Celedon said.

FPPC said the complaint came on on May 14 at 3 p.m. Just 50 minutes earlier, Transportation for All Coalition filed a termination statement of its committee, with a final spending of $1,129 mostly on compliance. The notification sent to Celedon and the coalition did not say if FPPC will follow up on the complaint.

Transportation for All Coalition wants to place its version of Measure C — the current half-cent sales tax in Fresno County, which expires in 2027, on the ballot. The coalition is seeking more transportation options and more spending in rural parts of the county. Those goals sometimes differ than a government-sponsored Measure C renewal.

As of Monday, the group did not file new paperwork to raise money.

Celedon Responds

Celedon responded in an email.

“Our neighborhood streets are crumbling, people can’t get to where they need to go efficiently, and our kids can’t get to school safely,” Celedon said.

“It’s no secret that for years, I have been working diligently to stop politicians and powerful special interest groups from spending our hard-earned dollars on their pet projects. I remain committed to working to build a transportation future that meets the needs of the people of Fresno County and uses our tax dollars wisely,” Celedon said.

Prior to serving as the principal officer for the Transportation for All Coalition committee, Celedon held the same role for the No on Measure C Committee. While Fresno County voters supported the measure in 2022 with 58% of the vote, it needed two-thirds to pass.

The $3,500 balance was transferred to the Transportation for All Coalition committee. Celedon served as the principal officer for the new committee when “I had no plans to run for office.”

“The T4All Committee remained dormant while we worked to resolve differences so everyone could come together behind one unified ballot measure that serves all residents of Fresno County. The T4All Committee was closed,” Celedon said.

“The T4All Committee’s stated purpose was clear, ‘Support/Oppose Local Candidates and Measures.’  Therefore, funds solicited for the T4All Committee were not and could not be redirected toward my state campaign committee,” Celedon said.

“I trust the FPPC will determine, upon receipt of my response, that this complaint has no merit and requires no further investigation. To whomever filed the complaint, no matter how thin they slice it, it’s still bologna,” Celedon said.

Celedon is running for Assembly District 31 — which covers much of the city of Fresno and surrounding Fresno County area. Others who have filed to run are Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea, a fellow Democrat; and Fresno Republican James Polsgrove.

Perea Staffer Running for City Council

A staffer for Perea hopes to succeed her boss in 2026. Last week, Mayra Campa filed to run in the District 1 race, for the seat representing west Fresno.

Campa is a former Fresno County Young Democrats president, and active in party politics. Perea said she is endorsing her staffer.

Other candidates expected to run in the race are Central Unified School District Trustee Deep Singh and State Center Community College Trustee Robert Fuentes.

(note:an earlier version of the story said Singh had announced he is running. He has not officially announced yet.)

Merced School Board President Running for Assembly

Priya Lakireddy filed to run for an expected open state Assembly seat next year.

The Merced City School District Board President is one of two candidates vying to succeed current Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno.

Lakireddy, D-Merced, also works for a UC Merced-affiliated business development center.

After two terms, Soria announced she is running for an open state Senate seat.

Former Merced Mayor Michael Murphy, a Republican, also filed to run for the Assembly seat.

Assembly District 31 covers parts of Merced, Madera and Fresno counties, including some neighborhoods in northwest Fresno.