Overview
- Rene Campos announced a campaign for Fresno’s District 7 seat, promoting a platform centered on public safety and rehabilitation.
- Court records show Campos pleaded no contest in 2018 to a misdemeanor count of possessing child sexual abuse material and served 27 days in jail, and records indicate he pleaded no contest in October to a failure-to-register charge.
- Fresno County’s elections chief, James Kus, said state rules do not disqualify a registered sex offender from seeking local office if voter eligibility and residency requirements are met.
- Opponent Nav Gurm argues registry restrictions would hamper council duties such as visiting schools and is urging lawmakers to bar registered sex offenders from holding office.
- Council President Mike Karbassi says he would refuse to seat Campos if elected, though the legal basis is unclear, while outgoing Councilmember Nelson Esparza also criticized the bid; candidates face an early-March filing deadline ahead of the June 2 primary.