Clovis City Councilmember Diane Pearce will not run for reelection, avoiding an incumbent-on-incumbent showdown in the fall against Matt Basgall.

Instead, Pearce will run for Fresno County supervisor next year, she announced on the “Broeske and Musson Show” on KMJ radio Thursday morning. She hinted at running for supervisor in an interview last week with GV Wire.

“This upcoming vacancy on the Board of Supervisors comes at a critical time for the future of this district and the entire county. We cannot allow our beautiful Fresno County to go the way of San Francisco or Los Angeles. This seat needs a proven fighter, someone that has demonstrated over and over they can be counted on to stand up, speak out boldly, and fight for our future,” Pearce said in a news release.

The move is speculative. The term of current Supervisor Nathan Magsig runs through 2029. He is running for state Senate and is the only major name on the ballot. Pearce is banking on Magsig winning his seat, creating a vacancy. Magsig represents District 5 on the Board of Supervisors, which includes Clovis, parts of east Fresno, and the mountain communities.

The Fresno County Charter mandates the board call a special election between 75 and 90 days after a vacancy.

If Magsig wins, his state Senate term starts Dec. 7. If he vacates on that date, the earliest a special election could take place would be Feb. 23, 2027.

Other names on the ballot for the state Senate District 12 seat include mechanic Louis Anthony Miramontes, R-Visalia, and social worker William Brown Jr., Lib.-Visalia. Neither has an established political record. The top two vote-earners will advance to the November general election.

Leaving Clovis City Council

Pearce’s announcement avoids a battle with Basgall. Both were elected to their first terms in 2022. Starting with the Nov. 3 election, Clovis voters will select councilmembers by district instead of at-large. Because of the new district lines, Pearce and Basgall both live in District 4, covering northeast Clovis.

Basgall initially announced he would not run for reelection. He changed his mind last week.

In her announcement, Pearce highlighted several accomplishments, such as increasing the size of the police department; increasing penalties for copper wire and catalytic converter theft; and expanding affordable recycling programs.

Pearce also mentioned her charge on social issues, such as challenging “oversexualized and deeply inappropriate material” in the county library; installing “In God We Trust” in council chambers; and opposing transgender athletes at the state high school track and field championships in Clovis.

“I am proud of what I have accomplished and am grateful for the support I have gotten from the people of Clovis and throughout the county,” Pearce said. “I look forward to earning that continued support, and I can assure you that no one will outwork me, outwalk me, or outdebate me. The stakes are too high, and I want our communities to remain safe and vibrant.”

Mouanoutoua Also Running

Clovis City Councilmember Vong Mouanoutoua also announced he is running for the anticipated open supervisor seat next year. He is not up for city council reelection in 2026.

“This is the beauty of America — that for 250 years, our nation has continued to allow us to serve and give back to our community. I am ready and would be honored to serve at the county level,” Mouanoutoua said.

Pearce launched an early blow against her potential opponent.

“I have a strong record of standing for our values. I’ve taken the fight to Sacramento time and again. Fresno County needs a fighter, not a ribbon-cutter who needed to see polling before he would add ‘In God We Trust’ to our council chambers and joined with the radicals to concoct a $7 billion transportation tax scheme behind closed doors,” Pearce said.

Mouanoutoua is supporting a successor to Measure C — the countywide sales tax for transportation projects — organized by several social justice groups. Better Roads, Safe Streets turned in signatures. If validated by the Fresno County Clerk, it will be on the November ballot.

Magsig would not say whom he would endorse as a successor, telling GV Wire he is waiting to see who runs.

Others who expressed interest include Bradley Bowman, a retired Marine and cyber security consultant from Auberry; and Allen Clyde, current member of the Fresno County Board of Education.