A Fresno political consultant scored an early victory, before any votes were cast. He prevailed in a breach-of-contract lawsuit from a former client.

State Center Community College District Trustee Nasreen Johnson thought she had secured the services of Jason Carns. And, even though the pair worked together in the past, Carns decided to move in a different direction.

Johnson sued in Fresno County small claims court seeking $12,500, alleging that Carns failed to perform on a contract.

In his defense, Carns argued that while the parties did consider working with each other, he never actually signed the contract. Instead, Carns is working with Johnson’s election opponent, Pablo Villagrana.

Last week, Judge Daniel Brickey sided with Carns.

During a Sept. 3 hearing, Johnson told the court that Carns helped set up a fundraiser last March and also was preparing her for the election.

But, Johnson never paid Carns his fee.

“If the plaintiff did pay the Defendant some amount as contemplated by the contract, the case could potentially have a different outcome,” Brickey wrote in his ruling. “However, the evidence was uncontroverted that the Plaintiff never paid the Defendant any amount for the services rendered. As such, the Court need not address any potential breach, nor does the Court need to reach the question of the plaintiff’s damages.”

Pro-Clovis Measure Y Signs Are Up

Signs are up supporting Measure Y, the proposed city of Clovis sales tax. The city says the one-percent increase will raise $28 million for the general fund. The campaign focus is the need to raise money for public safety.

The signs and other material are supported by the Clovis Public Safety Committee-Yes on Y. Although neither the Clovis nor Fresno County election fundraising pages has any fundraising information for the group, its website features the logos of the Clovis police and firefighter unions.

The public safety unions in the past have said the city has grown faster than police and fire can effectively provide services.

Costa Honored in Ukraine

Congressmember Jim Costa, D-Fresno, earned a prestigious recognition during a recent visit to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Parliament awarded Costa with the Honorary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

“I am honored to receive this accolade and will continue to work with Ukraine to help it defend itself and preserve its sovereignty. The United States and Ukraine share a commitment to democracy and security. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and standing with the resilient Ukrainian people,” Costa said in a news release.

Costa recently visited the war-torn American ally, where he also met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Costa visited the country as part of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and was joined by three other congressmembers.

Immigrant Affairs Committee Scheduled to Meet

The rarely-seen Fresno Immigrant and Resident Affairs Committee is scheduled to meet this Thursday. If they actually do follow through, it would be the first meeting since March.

IRAC had meetings scheduled for April 25, May 30 and August 22, all canceled late because of a lack of quorum — at least half the committee members said they could not attend.

The group’s president quit earlier this year in dramatic fashion, citing a lack of support from the city.

At Thursday’s meeting, Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez is scheduled to speak. Chavez’s legislation years ago helped establish the group.

Duarte Says He’s ‘Pro-Choice’

As reported by Politico and CNN, Central Valley Congressmember John Duarte says he is “pro-choice.”

The House Majority PAC — a Democratic-affiliated group — is running against Duarte, R-Modesto, saying the opposite. Last week, Duarte told CNN’s Manu Raju he agreed with the Supreme Court Dobbs decision, letting states decide abortion rights.

“I’m pro-choice,” Duarte said.

Duarte faces former Assemblymember Adam Gray, D-Merced. This is a 2022 rematch, won by Duarte.

Costa

Leftist Group Canvassing in Fresno

A political group will hold a phone bank event in Fresno tonight, to connect with hard-to-reach voters, focusing on two state ballot propositions.

The Million Voters Project will be calling voters at the Power California office on 3636 N. First Street. The group is a collaboration of nine left-leaning political groups. Labor activist Dolores Huerta is featured on the group’s website.

MVP is campaigning on passing Proposition 5, which would make it easier to raise property taxes, lowering the threshold to pass local bond measures from two-thirds to 55%.

The group also seeks to defeat Proposition 36, which would partially repeal Prop. 47, the state’s landmark sentencing reform law. Among other things, Prop. 36, would felonies to be charged for thefts under $950. Drug defendants also would be given the option of drug treatment in certain cases.

The event runs is 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.