With the supervisor race for western Fresno County down to two candidates, the most recent fundraising numbers show Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi outpacing Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco.

Between May 17 and June 30, he raised $23,930 to Pacheco’s $14,153.

Karbassi reported financial support from a variety of sources, including farmers, unions, and specialty PACs. He ended the June 30 period with $68,855 in his war chest after spending $35,934.

Karbassi said with long-standing supervisor Brian Pacheco (no relation to Maria Pacheco) leaving, people want someone with a “proven record who is stable.”

“As the numbers show, a very broad coalition of support, it’s not just one group or another,” Karbassi said. “Heavy labor support but also support from within the business community.”

Pacheco did not respond to calls and emails from GV Wire for comment on her fundraising.

Pacheco, after spending $24,076 from May 17 to June 30, ended the term with $3,185 cash on hand.

Pacheco received support from two educators and the National Association of Social Workers. Pacheco also had support from her boss — and Karbassi’s one-time legal adversary — Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) to help bolster her campaign. Pacheco is Soria’s senior field representative.

Soria gave $11,861 in in-kind donations of text blasts and mailers between May 30 and June 2.

First Time in More Than a Decade Election Will Go to November

Pacheco and Karbassi emerged from the June 2 primary, distinguishing themselves from a crowded race to replace Brian Pacheco, who is running for Soria’s Assembly seat against former Merced Mayor Mike Murphy.

Pacheco came out of the primary with 28.5% of the vote compared to Karbassi’s 32.72%. They will fight for the allegiance of voters who cast their primary ballots for four other candidates. Those also-rans collected 38.78% of the vote.

The race for District 1 has constituents highly engaged, with Fresno County reporting the highest voter turnout in more than a decade.

This is the first time since 2014 that this seat has needed a run-off as Brian Pacheco easily secured the race in 2018 and 2022.

Labor, Farming, Apartment Association Drive Donations This Period

Where Pacheco’s donations to her own campaign comprised just under half of her contributions, Karbassi received support from a variety of sources, including farmers.

Deran Koligian Farms gave $1,000 and Jon Caywood from Tranquility gave $2,618. Karbassi also got donations from the California Apartment Association, the Fresno County Public Safety Association, and the Fresno Chamber PAC.

Recently, Karbassi earned an endorsement from SEIU 521, which is significant. The union often backs its preferred candidates with financial support and volunteer canvassers.

“When you lose such a long-standing, experienced supervisor, they worry obviously about what the change is going to be like,” Karbassi said. “I think they want someone that has a proven record who’s stable.”