With Fresno County voters likely facing one transportation sales tax proposal, the four candidates for Fresno County Supervisor District 4 gave a thumbs-up to the Better Roads, Safer Street measure Monday night.

“If we don’t take this opportunity to pass a measure for roads, we would lose that and it would be devastating for all communities,” former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said. “If that’s the only one that’s going to be on the ballot, that’s the one I’m going to support.”

Joining Mims at the candidates forum held by GV Wire in CMAC’s downtown Fresno studios were Huron Mayor Ray León, Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran, and Selma Unified School District Trustee Nick Sahota. The four are vying to succeed longtime Supervisor Buddy Mendes, who decided not to stand for re-election.

As León and Beltran were among the community activists who helped put together the half-cent sales tax proposal that would replace Measure C, their support was a given. Sahota, a longtime farmer, said he supported the proposal. However, he stressed the importance of oversight to ensure that the billions in future funding weren’t “misused” and that fixing roads was the No. 1 priority.

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Mims appeared to be the front-runner based on name recognition. That impression was reinforced when Beltran, Sahota, and León each directed a question to her during the forum.

If any of the candidates wins a majority (50% plus one) of the vote in the June 2 primary, they would be the winner. If no one reaches that standard, the top two vote-getters will meet in a November runoff.

Watch the Forum

Watch the forum below. These are the timestamps for the questions:

01:45 – Candidate introductions
08:14 – What is the No. 1 issue facing District 4 and what would you do about it?
16:25 – Will you vote yes or no on the Measure C replacement transportation tax on the November ballot?
22:14 – As a supervisor, what would you do to ensure that the DA’s Office can fill its vacant prosecutor positions?
30:02 – Would you be in favor of a general sales tax?
33:00 – Where do you stand on Fresno County suing its own assessor-recorder, Paul Dictos, over real-estate transaction fees?
38:43 – What are your thoughts on President Trump’s immigration crackdown?
46:38 – On a 1-10 scale, how would you grade the Valley Air District?
52:26 – Should the county green-light residential development?
58:47 – The candidates ask each other a question
1:10:48 – Closing candidate comments