Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco has declared victory in her bid for the Fresno County District 1 supervisor seat.

Owning a 5,741-vote lead over Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi based on the latest polling numbers updated by Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters, Pacheco is set to become the first Latina to hold a seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.

“We did it, y’all!” Pacheco posted Tuesday on social media. “WE MADE HISTORY!”

Pacheco, the mayor of Kerman since 2022, captured 58.54 % of the votes with 19,675 cast in her favor.

Karbassi had 41.46% of the votes with 13,934.

The Registrar of Voters must certify election results no later than Dec. 3. The California Secretary of State must certify election results by Dec. 11.

Winning with Less

Pacheco and Karbassi advanced from a highly competitive primary for the supervisorial seat, with Karbassi significantly outraising his opponent.

Karbassi reported $341,347 in contributions, compared with $209,358 for Pacheco.

(Disclosure: GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi is a supporter of Karbassi’s campaign)

Pacheco thanked volunteers for the victory.

“We were outspent, but we were NEVER outworked!” Pacheco posted on social media. “You were the heart, soul, and hope of this campaign. You knocked on doors, gave your time, believed in what was possible and never gave up.

“Together, we proved that the most powerful things in politics are the things money simply cannot buy. This victory belongs to you. And we’re just getting started!”

A message to Karbassi was not immediately returned.

Despite the unofficial loss, Karbassi’s council term with the City of Fresno runs through January 2029.

Fresno County Supervisor District 1 is comprised mostly of the western part of Fresno County and several rural towns, including Firebaugh, Mendota, and Kerman.

The District 1 supervisor seat has been held by Brian Pacheco since 2015. He is not related to Maria Pacheco.

Brian Pacheco declined to seek reelection, instead running and eventually winning California State Assembly District 27.

Drama Leading Into Election

Just days before the November election, Maria Pacheco faced allegations of following a man she suspected of being a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

Eric Bridges detailed the encounter in a TikTok video, accusing Pacheco of following his vehicle, photographing it, and blocking him in.

Bridges’ attorney, Roger Bonakdar, said formal complaints were filed with the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit. The release did not indicate whether authorities had opened an investigation or filed charges.