Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco is running for state Assembly.

A three-term supervisor representing northwest Fresno County, Pacheco, D-Kerman, would forgo reelection to run for Assembly District 27. The district includes parts of Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.

Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni told GV Wire that Pacheco informed him he is running for Assembly. Other political insiders have confirmed that information.

Current Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, is running for state Senate.

Pacheco reported $535,697 in his supervisor campaign account as of June 30, much of which he can transfer to an Assembly run.

He won the office in 2014, defeating former Fresno City Councilmember Blong Xiong with 58% of the vote. He won reelection in 2018 with 70% of the vote, and ran unopposed in 2022.

Pacheco declined to comment but said there might be news next week.

Madera County Supervisor Leticia Gonzalez, D-Madera, and former Merced Mayor Michael Murphy, R-Merced, are actively running. There are rumblings that Gonzalez may drop out with Pacheco’s entry.

Murphy reported $191,417 remaining in his campaign account as of June 30. Gonzalez entered after the reporting deadline but raised more than $80,000 — all from Democratic legislators, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister.

Gonzalez said she will make an announcement Monday.

Who Would Run for Supervisor?

The District 1 supervisor seat is up in the June 2, 2026, election.

Only one other candidate had filed to run against Pacheco — Firebaugh Councilmember Felipe Perez.

Another name political insiders suggested to GV Wire is Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco.

The district stretches mostly from west of Highway 99 to the western county border. It includes the cities of Firebaugh, Mendota, San Joaquin, and Kerman.

City of Fresno residents — including many who live west of Highway 99 and in the northwest part of the city — make up two-thirds of all District 1 voters.

By 2027, the entire Fresno County Board of Supervisors could turn over within two election cycles. Supervisor Nathan Magsig is running for state Senate in 2026. Buddy Mendes, a supervisor since 2014, said he is not running for reelection.

With Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez winning office in 2024 — if Pacheco and Magsig are successful in 2026 — no supervisor from 2024 would remain.