Southwest Fresno residents may have their top two candidates as Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula and Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas have pulled away from the crowded race for Fresno City Council District 3.

Arambula took a lead in the race against Thomas, with 28.29% of votes compared to 27.43%, for the area that includes downtown Fresno, Chinatown, parts of the Tower District and southwest Fresno, with 3,606 votes counted in the district.

Incumbent Miguel Arias is termed out.

Considering his eight years in the state Assembly, Arambula has been the most recognizable name in the race. That recognition came with big money.

According to the most recent filings, Arambula massively outraised and outspent Thomas, reporting nearly $75,000 raised for the year through May 16 compared to Thomas’ $27,000.

Arambula spent more than $80,000 to her $18,000.

Both have run on increasing affordability and options in southwest Fresno and expanding downtown Fresno. While Arambula has been a more vocal “no” vote on Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer’s Southeast Development Area plan, Thomas’ opposition has been more recent.

As a Fresno Unified trustee, she initially voted not to take a stance for or against SEDA. On May 14, Thomas joined trustees Veva Islas, Andy Levine, and Valerie Davis in opposing the plan to develop 9,000 acres.

Updated results are available at this link.