Fresno County voters will choose a new supervisor for District 1 at the start of 2027. The race pits longtime Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi against Maria Pacheco, the mayor of the nearby town of Kerman. Both candidates finished at the top of the June primary, with Karbassi receiving 8,046 votes and Pacheco 7,008.
Candidate backgrounds
Mike Karbassi has served on the Fresno City Council since 2019 and runs as a Democrat. He also owns a small business. Karbassi’s campaign has raised about $345,000, nearly twice the amount raised by Pacheco, and he has secured endorsements from U.S. Representatives Jim Costa and Adam Gray, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, the Fresno County Democratic Party, and the Nisei Farmers League.
Maria Pacheco, age 47, is the mayor of Kerman and a senior field representative for California Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria. She has been mayor since 2024 and is backed by California State Senator Anna Caballero, Assemblymember Soria, Huron Mayor Rey Leon, congressional candidate Randy Villegas, the Dolores Huerta Action Fund, and the Central Valley Progressive PAC.
Key issues and positions
Karbassi says many District 1 residents feel under‑represented because the seat has not been held by a Fresno resident for three decades. He pledges to increase local representation on the board and its commissions, and to remove “folks that are out there now” in favor of voices that better reflect the community.
He highlights a recent HAWK crosswalk project completed with county assistance, describing it as a result of collaboration rather than ego. Karbassi also points to his work on the Veterans Boulevard overpass, which improves west‑side connectivity, and a $25,000 allocation from his city budget to partner with the county on a new library west of the 99 freeway.
On public participation, Karbassi argues that the county’s 10‑minute cap on public comment is insufficient. He notes that Fresno City Council meetings often allow hours of comment and urges the board to expand the county’s limit, calling it a basic right for citizens.
Pacheco supports Measure S, a local tax measure intended to fund road repairs and community projects rather than highway expansion. She emphasizes the need to fix damaged roads first, citing concerns from parents who want safe streets for their children’s skateboards. While she backs mixed‑use development, she cautions against unchecked new city building, saying it is not always the answer.
Endorsements and bipartisan outreach
Karbassi, though a Democrat, stresses his ability to work across party lines. He has been endorsed by two Republican supervisors—Garry Bredefeld and Margaret Mims—who would serve alongside him if elected. He also notes ongoing conversations with Supervisor Luis Chavez, the upcoming board chair.
Pacheco’s endorsements come primarily from progressive state officials and local leaders, reflecting her alignment with community‑focused development and infrastructure investment.
What’s at stake
The District 1 seat will replace longtime supervisor Brian Pacheco, a dairyman who has held the position since 2014. Voters will decide whether the district’s future direction leans toward Karbassi’s emphasis on local representation, infrastructure collaboration, and expanded public input, or Pacheco’s focus on targeted road improvements and measured growth.
Both candidates have pledged to keep the district’s voice strong on the county board, which has traditionally maintained a conservative majority. The outcome will shape how Fresno County addresses transportation, public services, and community engagement in the coming years.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
