_0.jpg)
Local candidates geared up and running for state and local races as primary day nears
This year is no different as a slew of candidates, pounding the pavement and shaking hundreds of outstretched hands, begin begging for votes, hoping to win that important office, whether in the halls of Congress or a spot in local, state, or national office.
Assemblyman Rudy Salas, a Democrat, buoyed by his popularity in the South Valley, is gunning for a spot in Congress in the vacant 22nd District. He will take on incumbent Republican David Valadao, former Fresno politician Chris Mathys and Kings County Board of Education Trustee Adam Medeiros.
After the House of Representatives' insurrection, Valadao was one of 10 Republicans who blamed the former president for the debacle and voted to impeach Trump.
If former Kings County and South Valley Assemblywoman Nicole Parra gets her way, she’ll be back in the state capitol representing Kings County and much of the South Valley. She has decided to take on first-term incumbent Melissa Hurtado in the State Senate 16th District race.
Parra has a long history with Kings County, having served as an assemblywoman in the state’s 20th District for six years following her 2002 election. Before that first election, she served in Hanford as a high-profile aide to former area congressman Calvin Dooley.
A high-profile race is occurring between a pair of candidates in the Kings County District Attorney’s race where two-term incumbent Keith Fagundes and former deputy DA in Kings County from 2006 to 2015, Sarah Hacker. The two recently debated at an event hosted by the Hanford Chapter of the 1776 Sons of Liberty at a town hall Monday night at Hanford’s First Baptist Church.
One of the most interesting races in this year’s primary is between longtime incumbent Joe Neves, who has served on the board for 28 years and has a pair of opponents, including newcomer Martin Chavez, a Stratford resident, and former Lemoore Mayor Edward Neal.
Armed with an economics degree from UC Merced, Chavez is itching to serve his community. “I look forward to continuing to build a better future for all residents of Kings County as a member of the Board of Supervisors,” said Chavez.
Neves cites his commonsense approach to local governing. “My commonsense approach to problem solving and experience in local government is important as we plan for the future,” he said, citing the management of water resources and drought preparedness.
There are already a few surprises. A hunk of Kings County – that northern part that includes Lemoore and Hanford – may, if Republicans have their way, could very well be represented by the next Congressional Speaker of the House.
Kevin McCarthy, the congressman from Bakersfield and currently the House Minority Leader, could be on track to become the third most influential person in government. Assuming he learns a lesson and stops recording his telephone calls, he could be the Speaker – or at least that is what the polls are saying.
McCarthy is no longer confined to the South Valley but will likely represent the top part of Kings County, which includes Lemoore and Hanford. He will also represent a sizable portion of Fresno, and former Kings County Congressman Jim Costa will take on a significant portion of Fresno.
Locally, popular Kings County Sheriff David Robison is running unopposed. Kings County Superintendent Todd Barlow appears to have clear sailing as they couldn’t find anybody to run against them.
In the District 4 supervisor’s race, longtime supervisor Craig Pedersen is retiring and will likely cede his seat to either Rusty Robison or Alicia Ramirez.
