Naindeep Singh filed to run for Fresno City Council, hoping to elevate his position from the Central Unified school board.

Singh, a longtime Sikh advocate and executive director of the Jakara Movement, filed to run last week for the District 1 seat — which covers west central Fresno, including part of the Tower District.

Also running are State Center Community College District trustee and federal prosecutor Robert Fuentes; Mayra Campa, staffer to current District 1 Councilmember Annalisa Perea; and Joe Hinojosa, Fresno City Hall ADA coordinator.

Perea is forgoing a second term to run for state Assembly.

The primary is June 2, 2026. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to the November 2026 general election.

Arambula Raises from Outside District

Joaquin Arambula, the Fresno Democratic Assemblymember running for city council, became the first candidate to file his semi-annual financial report.

Arambula lists just one entry for the first six months of 2025, a $5,900 contribution from Democratic megadonor Elizabeth Simons, as Politics 101 previously reported.

He also posted a recent contribution after the deadline — $5,900 (the maximum contribution) from The Doctors Company PAC, the campaign wing for a provider of medical malpractice insurance.

Arambula is running in District 3, covering southwest Fresno, including downtown and parts of the Tower District. Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas also filed to run. Westpark School District Trustee Fernando Alvarez has also hinted he will run.

The seat is now held by the termed-out Miguel Arias.

Martinez Lott Pulls in $20,000

Ariana Martinez Lott, candidate for District 7 in east central Fresno, reported raising $20,301 for the first six months of 2025. She has $12,632 cash on hand.

Joaquin Arambula is her biggest financial supporter, contributing $5,500. Artie Padilla, a director with nonprofit Central Valley Community Foundation, gave $1,000. Her husband, Kevin Lott, also contributed $1,000.

Several others gave in the $100-to-$500 range, including Fresno Unified trustees Genoveva Islas and Andy Levine.

Former Assemblymember Juan Arambula and the campaign for SCCCD Trustee Nasreen Johnson gave $500 each.

Others in the District 7 race include former City Hall staffer and recent law school graduate Nav Gurm; business advocate AJ Rassamni; and community member Rene Campos.

The current District 7 representative, Nelson Esparza, terms out after 2026. He is running for state Senate in District 14, which is now represented by the termed-out Anna Caballero.

Rendon Running for Top State School Post

Former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon wants to return to politics. The Lakewood Democrat will run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Politico reports.

Rendon left the Legislature in 2024 after reaching his term limit. He considered running for state treasurer before the switch.

Others running for the state’s top education post include state legislators Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, and several southern California education officials.