Speaker of the House Mike Johnson visited Fresno on Wednesday for a fundraiser at Harris Construction.

Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig attended the event, appreciating what he heard.

“He talked about water issues and how the president is keenly aware of the challenges we have here,” Magsig told Politics 101. “Speaker Johnson’s committed to that, too, recognizing that we’re the breadbasket of the world in the Central Valley.”

Johnson, R-Louisiana, plans to return to the Central Valley, Magsig said.

The Speaker also talked about passing the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” President Donald Trump’s spending plan.

Farmer and water advocate William Bourdeau also attended.

“We discussed the critical role of California agriculture in feeding the nation, the importance of infrastructure investment, and how strong leadership in Washington can empower local communities like ours,” Bourdeau posted on Facebook.

Johnson raised money for his Grow the Majority fund. The campaign committee’s goal is to help Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives. Through March, the fund raised more than $24 million in 2025 alone, according to FEC filings. In the 2023-2024 cycle, the fund raised nearly $40 million.

Attendees tell Politics 101 that Valley Republican congressmembers Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, and Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove attended, but David Valadao, R-Kings County, did not.

Schiff’s Busy Visit to Fresno

U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff had a busy time in Fresno last weekend. On May 23, he delivered the commencement speech at Fresno City College. The Burbank Democrat then met with farmers on May 24, and even found time for a Grizzlies game.

His office said Schiff met with famers “amid the Trump administration’s reckless trade war.”

Last Saturday, Schiff and Congressmember Jim Costa, D-Fresno, toured blueberry grower Marthedal Farm.

Former Elected Leader Convicted, Sentenced

A former elected leader from Del Rey was found guilty after running over and killing a critic, but he will serve no additional time.

Rolando Sanchez was arrested and accused of homicide in 2023, and remained in custody. Sanchez served on the Del Rey Community Services District board, an elected position — although Sanchez was appointed to the board and not directly elected himself.

The victim, Jaime Loza, was a well-known gadfly at several public meetings.

A judge declared a mistrial in Sanchez’s first trial that started March 6. Both the Fresno County District Attorney’s office and Sanchez’s attorney told Politics 101 that the jury heard evidence that was ruled inadmissible.

A second trial began on March 18. Sanchez’s attorney, Wade Freitas, said a jury found his client not guilty of first degree murder, second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. The jury did find Sanchez guilty of a lesser involuntary manslaughter charge.

ABC30 reported that on Wednesday, Judge Jonathan Conklin sentenced Sanchez to four years.

“Mr. Sanchez had 1,605 days of custody credits, which exceeded the time required to serve a four-year sentence. As a result, he was released from Fresno County Jail and ordered to report to parole supervision,” DA spokesperson Taylor Long said.

A civil suit, filed by Loza’s family against Sanchez and the Del Rey CSD, has a scheduled trial date of Feb. 17, 2026.

Sanchez Remained on the Board

During his entire time, Sanchez remained on the Del Rey CSD board. District manager Carlos Arias said the law did not provide the other board members with the power to expel Sanchez.

His term expired Dec. 6, 2024, but no one ran in the election. Arias said they tried to recruit candidates but didn’t get any takers. The seat is now vacant.

State law allows the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy. Arias said they refused. Now, the board will post the seat for election in November 2025.

After the story first published, the county offered a response.

“There were complicated timing rules under state law for when vacancies can be filled through either special election or appointment by the Board. With respect to the current vacancy, there has not been the requisite request made by the district to the County Clerk/Registrar of Voters to fill the vacancy by appointment,” spokesperson Sonja Dosti said.

The district provides water, sewer, and trash to about 2,000 customers, working with a $1.5 million budget. If Del Rey CSD is found responsible in the civil lawsuit over Loza’s death, Arias said the the district has insurance that could possibly cover damages.

Parks Committee Hears Budget Proposal

A truncated Measure P committee met this week to hear Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer’s budget proposal for parks.

Only five of eight committee members attended the special meeting on Tuesday. Three members were absent, and there is one vacancy.

The remaining members — just meeting the quorum standard — heard about the budget

Measure P — the citywide three-eighths of a cent sales tax — operates with $90 million in revenues, and $84 million in expenditures.

The tax pays for park rangers. Currently, 18 are on staff, with two more expected to join by the fall. In a 11 month period ending in May, park rangers responded to more than 33,000 calls for service.

Committee chair Kimberly McCoy, Scott Miller, and Harman Singh were absent. The remaining committee voted to excuse their absences.

Vice Chair Laura Ward presided over the meeting. She later told Politics 101 that the members missed the meeting because of scheduling conflicts. Normally meetings are on Mondays.

Because of the Memorial Day holiday, and the need to hear about the budget before next week’s hearings, a special meeting was called. Dyer’s office formally presents the budget to the city council starting Monday.

Miller said he missed the meeting because a conflict with a graduation ceremony for the San Joaquin Political Academy, administered by The Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Miller is the group’s  president/CEO.