School board elections across Fresno and Clovis are more than a year away, but early campaign fundraising is already underway. (GV Wire Composite)
- Fresno Unified trustee Susan Wittrup leads early fundraising, raising $17,262 — including $10,000 from a retired clinical psychologist.
- Only one Clovis Unified board member up for re-election in 2026 reported fundraising — and it was just $450 in self-loans.
- Several trustees shift focus to 2026 Fresno City Council and County Supervisor races, closing their school campaign accounts.
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Fundraising for the three major school boards that represent Fresno and Clovis is off to a slow start for many candidates.
However, a few candidates are flexing early strength with contributions from businesses, labor unions, and other politicians.
Any candidate who raised funds for the first six months of 2025 is required to report how much money they raised and the sources of those funds.
Voters will elect school board members Nov. 3, 2026. Here’s a look at campaign finance reports for candidates with Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified and Central Unified.
Related Story: It’s Raining Cash for Some 2026 Fresno City Council Hopefuls
Fresno Unified
Four positions are up for re-election in November 2026.
Susan Wittrup raised $17,262 for the first six months of 2025. Sherri Gibson, a retired clinical psychologist, contributed $10,000. Wittrup received $5,000 from Material Movers Inc. — a Clovis-based trucking company owned by Bart Jones.
Valerie Davis reported raising $1,800 — based on two-self contributions of $900 each.
Veva Islas raised $2,300, in three separate loans to herself.
Keshia Thomas is not running for re-election in Area 1. She has closed her account, and is running for Fresno City Council in 2026.
However, three other board members who are not up for re-election reported fundraising activity.
Andy Levine — who won re-election in 2024 — raised $13,811, but spent more to cover costs — mainly $15,000 to consultant Pablo Ramirez. Levine gave himself $5,000. Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula contributed $1,000 from his campaign account.
Claudia Cazares — also a 2024 re-election winner — raised $7,350. Most of it ($4,750) came from various labor unions. Fellow trustee Davis gave $200, with Fresno City Councilmembers Annalisa Pera ($250) and Tyler Maxwell ($1,000) also contributing. She paid $4,000 to consultant Jason Carns.
Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas terminated her school board account last December.
No other candidate filed paperwork to raise funds.
Clovis Unified
Only two trustees reported fundraising activity in 2025.
Clint Olivier is the only of three Clovis Unified School Board members up for re-election in 2026 to report fundraising this year. His District 1 comprises areas generally north of Herndon Avenue, and west of Maple Avenue.
He reported $450 in loans to himself.
Deena Combs-Flores and Tiffany Stoker Madsen do not have active 2026 accounts.
Of the four who won re-election in 2024, only Trustee Hugh Awtrey has filed. He reported a single contribution of $1,000 from C-111 Construction. He represents the east-central part of the district.
Central Unified
Four trustees whose terms expire in 2026, do not have active campaign accounts — Joshua Sellers (Area 1), Yesenia Carrillo (Area 2), Nabil Kherfan (Area 4), and Naindeep Singh (Area 7).
Only one trustee has an active fundraising account.
Jaspreet Sidhu, who won election in 2024, did not raise any funds in 2025, but reports $5,723 cash on hand.
Singh gave himself $3,420 to cover 2025 expenses. He then closed his account. He plans to run for Fresno City Council in 2026.
State Center Community College District
Only two of the three trustees with seats expiring in 2026 have active campaign accounts.
Destiny Rodriguez loaned herself $2,000, the only fundraising thus far for 2025. Magdalena Gomez loaned herself $1,500 for the year. She has nearly $25,000 cash on hand.
Robert Fuentes, with a seat expiring in 2026, raised more than $7,400 to pay expenses before terminating his account. He plans to run for Fresno City Council in 2026.
Danielle Parra — a 2024 re-election winner — also terminated her campaign account. She transferred more than $20,000 to her account for Fresno County Supervisor in 2026.
Deborah Ikeda has not formed a fundraising committee for 2028, nor reported any 2025 funds. Roger Bonakdar, a Fresno attorney and 2024 Fresno City Council candidate, has a 2028 SCCCD fundraising committee. He moved $29,000 from an unsuccessful 2024 city council campaign account into his new campaign.
Superintendent Fundraising
Michelle Cantwell-Copher is running for re-election for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. She has competition, from fromer Clovis Unified Superintendent Eimear O’Brien.
Cantwell-Copher posted raising $34,100 in 2025, with $43,890 cash on hand. Her biggest contributor is Prodigy Health ($5,000).
O’Brien raised $41,492, with $35,094 cash on hand. The Cook Family LP contributed $5,000. Former superintendent Jim Yovino contributed $2,845 leftover from his campaign account.
Developer and frequent campaign donor Richard F. Spencer gave to both campaigns — $10,000 to O’Brien and $2,500 to Cantwell-Copher.
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