With a registered sex offender is running for the Fresno City Council, multiple councilmembers said they oppose having a person convicted of crimes against children in office.

District 1 Councilmember Annalisa Perea said the council plans to introduce an ordinance to prevent registered sex offenders from running.

She said children often come to Fresno City Hall, whether for meetings or employees bringing in their kids.

Discussion of the ordinance comes after registered sex offender Rene Campos announced a run in District 7, which covers central Fresno and is represented by the termed-out Nelson Esparza.

On Wednesday, the tabloid New York Post ran a story under the headline “Fury as child sex offender launches bid for city council under lax CA laws: ‘Disqualify him!’ ”

But the story is actually old news. GV Wire’s David Taub exclusively reported on Campos’ candidacy and his sex offender status all the way back in June 2025.

 Attorney Threatens Lawsuit

Councilmember Miguel Arias said the ordinance would protect the public.

“I look forward to legal counsel working on agenda item for this council to adopt that would ensure no sex offender gets to serve in this role without some significant precautions in place that safeguard the general public’s and the employees that we have in this building,” Arias said.

However, Sacramento-based attorney Janice Bellucci called a possible ordinance “outrageous” and said she would sue if the city moves forward with the ordinance.

She said that Campos appears to be fully qualified to run for office.

“(A lawsuit) would protect the right of any citizen in the city of Fresno of being able to run for city council if they’re otherwise qualified,” Bellucci told GV Wire. “It’s my understanding that this gentleman, who is in fact required to register, is otherwise qualified and he should be allowed to run for office.”

Bellucci is currently suing Fresno County for a sex offender ordinance.

Registered Child Sex Offender Running for District 7

Discussion of the ordinance comes after registered sex offender Rene Campos announced a run in District 7, which covers central Fresno and is represented by the termed-out Nelson Esparza.

Campos in 2021 pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of possessing child sex abuse material. Campos completed his sentence. He told news agencies his history of homelessness gives him special insight into mental health and crime prevention.

In an email to GV Wire, Campos said adding new qualifications “is not a political issue, it is a constitutional one.”

“Eligibility for municipal office is defined by California law and constitutional protections, not by local preference,” Campos said in his email. “Courts have consistently held that ballot access restrictions burden both candidates and voters and are subject to heightened scrutiny. Voters decide who represents them, not gatekeepers.”

Majority of Council Supported Proposed Ordinance

Councilmember Nick Richardson  said the city attorney’s office is working on language for the rules. If introduced, the ordinance may pass, based on councilmember comments.

Council President Mike Karbassi and Esparza joined Perea, Arias, and Richardson in speaking against having a child sex offender in office.

Richardson said children regularly come to City Hall and the presence of a sex offender should not prevent people from coming into the office.

“This is the United States and a free country, people are entitled to do their time and reform, but there a lot of potential issues and pitfalls,” Esparza said.