FRESNO COUNTY – On the ballot this November includes candidates for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, which acts as the governing body for Fresno County’s unincorporated communities and county-provided services.
The Board of Supervisors is made up of five residents who each represent a specific district in the county. Board members are elected to four-year staggered terms, with no term limits. The Board is the governing body to all countywide services, which includes law enforcement, property records and tax collection, public health, social services, elections administration and more.
This year, three Board of Supervisors seats — Districts 2, 3 and 5 — are up for election; however, only two races will be on the November ballot. District 5 Supervisor Nathan Magsig secured reelection in the March primary after receiving 70.9% of the vote over challenger Jennifer Cruz’s 29.1%.
In District 3, Sal Quintero is running for reelection against current Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez. District 3 encompasses central Fresno, including the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, the Tower District, Easterby and the unincorporated areas of Mayfair and Calwa.
California voters can use the Secretary of State’s online voter registration tool at registertovote.ca.gov to register to vote or check their status. Voters in Fresno County can use an online district lookup tool through their respective county elections office to enter their address and find what Congressional, state, county and city districts they live in.
Quintero and Chavez advanced to the November election as the top two vote-getters during the March primary. Quintero received 37.1% of the vote while Chavez received 26.1% of the vote. Candidates Miguel Angel Arias and Edward “EJ” Hinojosa received 19.8% and 17% of the vote, respectively.
The Mid Valley Times was unable to reach Chavez for comment by press time; however, a brief introduction to his background and position on various issues is below.
Fresno County Board of Supervisors
District 3 - March primary results
Sal Quintero*
Luis Chavez*
Miguel Angel Arias
Edward Hinojosa
Meet Luis Chavez
Chavez was raised in Fresno and attended Fresno City College and Fresno State University. Elected to the Fresno City Council in November 2016, Chavez previously served as a board member for the Fresno Unified School District.
According to his Fresno City Council biography, Chavez received degrees in business administration and public administration, and he gained experience through teaching at schools in Fresno County and at Fresno City College. He worked as the program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California, and was chief of staff to his now-opponent Quintero when Quintero himself was a Fresno City Council member.
Chavez’s plan for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, according to his campaign website, is to “build a strong Fresno together.” He wants to bring high-paying jobs to central and south Fresno, creating opportunities for all residents, and create a plan for the unhoused individuals in the community.
“By expanding housing, mental health services and job placement programs, (Chavez) aims to support those in need and improve the overall quality of life in the community,” his website says. Chavez also wants to strengthen neighborhoods in south Fresno by enhancing police resources and community programs.
Chavez has endorsements from Fresno City Council President Annalisa Perea and Councilmember Tyler Maxwell and the Fresno County Democratic Party.
