AJ Rassamni, a candidate for Fresno City Council District 7, updated social media posts after questions arose about a 2023 forum described as a “recent town hall.” (GV Wire Composite)
- Fresno City Council candidate AJ Rassamni updated Facebook posts after questions surfaced about a “recent town hall” that was actually held in 2023.
- A photo featuring Mayor Jerry Dyer prompted clarification, as Dyer has endorsed another District 7 candidate, Nav Gurm.
- Politics 101 includes an update on candidates running for supervisor, state offices.
Share
Did AJ Rassamni make an unforced political error?
The Fresno City Council candidate posted a video on Facebook from “a recent town hall” where Mayor Jerry Dyer praised Rassamni.
Rassamni — running for District 7, representing east-central Fresno — may have a liberal definition of “recent.” A dead giveaway is Paco Balderrama — the city’s former police chief — in full police uniform in the video. Balderrama has not been chief since 2024.
The video is from a 2023 forum.
Rassamni also posted a photo of himself and Dyer, which some could interpret as indicating an endorsement. Dyer is endorsing another candidate, Nav Gurm.
“It doesn’t say endorsement,” Rassamni told Politics 101 on Thursday.
Rassamni said his “social media person” uploaded the posts. His campaign consultant insisted to Politics 101 that the posts were not story worthy.
“I didn’t look at it. I didn’t read it, but I’ll change it right now,” Rassamni said. He has since added a line stating that “this is not an advisement.” He also changed “recent town hall” to “2023.”
Rassamni: Work Together
Rassamni sent Politics 101 an additional statement. He said his point is that he has worked with Dyer “to successfully address sensitive and complex city issues.”
“The caption stated a simple truth: When city leaders work together, Fresno moves forward. That principle remains valid regardless of campaign season. Cooperation should not be controversial; it should be expected,” Rassamni said.
He again said that a photograph does not imply an endorsement.
His full statement can be read here.
Addressing homelessness has been one of Rassamni’s top campaign priorities. He recently wrote an opinion piece for GV Wire.
Gurm, Dyer Comment
Dyer responded to Rassamni’s post.
“Although having my photo on his Facebook page does not violate any election laws, I would prefer that candidates not display my photo, as it gives the appearance that I have endorsed them,” Dyer said.
Gurm said, “I’m focused on building a coalition that can tackle the challenges facing Fresno families and am proud to have Mayor Dyer as part of our coalition. I don’t think voters will be fooled by deceptive campaign tactics other candidates are engaging in.”
Rassamni also posted an old picture of him and former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, and a video from Congressmember Jim Costa, D-Fresno. Those were from a 2015 event.
Three other candidates have filed paperwork to run for the District 7 seat — Rene Campos, Jason Keomanee, and Ariana Martinez Lott.
Martinez Lott is a community activist who once worked for Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias. Campos is a registered sex offender who works in fast food. Keomanee posts little about himself and does not return messages.
Leon Running for Supervisor
Huron Mayor Rey Leon has filed to run for District 4 Fresno County supervisor, joining the race to replace Buddy Mendes.
Mendes, first elected in 2014, announced he is not seeking re-election.
Leon is the fifth candidate, joining former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran, Selma Unified trustee Nick Sahota and IRS agent Charlie Soto.
Six candidates have filed for the other supervisor seat on the ballot. District 1 Supervisor Brian Pacheco is running for state Assembly instead.
District 4 covers the southern portion of Fresno County.
Meanwhile, six candidates are running in District 1, which covers northwest Fresno County, including portions of west Fresno. They are:
- Fresno City Council President Mike Karbassi
- Mendota Unified Trustee Lupe Flores
- Firebaugh City Councilmember Felipe Perez
- Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco
- West Hills Community College District Trustee Omar Hernandez
- Nonprofit executive Eric Payne, a former State Center Community College District trustee
With incumbents not running for either supervisor seat, the filing deadline has been extended to March 11.
Several supervisor candidates will attend a Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation breakfast Tuesday.
Other State Candidates of Note
Merced City Councilmember Darin Du Pont announced he is running for state Senate District 14.
Du Pont, R-Merced, is an attorney. He was first elected to the City Council in 2024.
Other candidates include:
Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno; and Sanger Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado, D-Sanger. Incumbent Anna Caballero is termed out and is running for state treasurer.
Manpreet Kaur, D-Bakersfield, a Bakersfield city councilmember, is considering a run for state Senate 16. Incumbent Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield; and businessman Guillermo Gonzalez, R-Bakersfield, are also running.
Japjeet Singh Uppal, D-Livingston, has filed to run for Assembly District 27. A Livingston city councilmember, Uppal is running for the open seat against Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco, D-Kerman, and Mike Murphy, R-Merced, a former mayor of Merced.
Soria is the current Assemblymember.
RELATED TOPICS:
