The state Assembly race between Esmeralda Soria and Mark Pazin may be one of the closer contests in the Central Valley.

While Soria, a Democrat and Fresno City Councilwoman, may have the party registration (16% Democrats) and fundraising advantage, Pazin may have the name recognition edge. The Republican is the former sheriff of Merced County.

Soria has raised over $3 million, including a recent $400,000 contributions from the state Democratic Party. Pazin has raised $1.2 million.

The Democrat has blitzed the television and radio airwaves, mostly criticizing Pazin’s tenure as sheriff from 2007-2013. He left the elected position to work for the state Office of Emergency Services.

One Soria mailer hammers Pazin “quitting” his office.

Pazin has sent mailers linking Soria to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York. They call Soria “too extreme for the Central Valley.”

Also in Politics 101 …

• Fresno hires a new controller.
• Court hires a new executive.

Fresno Hires New Controller

With a 7-0 vote, the Fresno City Council approved the hiring of Santino Danisi as the city’s new controller.

Danisi comes from a similar role at Fresno Unified. He replaces Michael Lima, who was dismissed by the city earlier this year. Assistant City Manager Ruthie Quinto served in the interim.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to meeting the staff and getting started,” Danisi told the council after the announcement of his hiring.

The controller is hired by the City Manager, but the City Charter requires City Council consent on the hiring and firing of the position.

“Santino comes highly recommended. Those who know him compliment his strong work ethic and community ties. He is not only an expert in the field of finance, but also a true community servant,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said in a news release.

Fresno Court Adds New Executive

The Fresno Superior Court system has promoted from within for its next executive.

Dawn Annino was promoted from assistant to the person in charge of the court’s administration. She’s held a variety of roles since joining the Fresno court system in 1997. Her official title is Court Executive Officer, Clerk of the Court. She also holds a law degree from the University of Wyoming.

“Dawn has a tremendous amount of experience with our organization and will be an asset to us in the role of Court Executive Officer”, Presiding Judge David Kalemkarian said in a news release. “She is well respected by our bench officers, Executive Committee and, most importantly, court personnel. I have every confidence that she will be a tremendous leader to our court.”