Fresno voters are still waiting for final results from the November 2026 midterm elections, and the latest update from the Fresno County Elections Office shows several long‑standing officials on the brink of defeat. On the Fresno Unified School Board, challenger Riley Talford has expanded his lead over incumbent Valarie Davis to a 187‑vote advantage, posting 50.81% of the vote to Davis’s 48.73%.
School board races remain competitive
Talford, a resident of the Sunnyside district, told reporters he is “ready to get to work on behalf of the staff, families and students in the district” and remains confident of a final victory. Davis has not responded to requests for comment.
In the three‑way race for the McLane area seat, retired teacher Karen Steed continues to hold a narrow lead over incumbent Veva Islas. Steed leads with 36.08% of the vote, while Islas trails at 33.78% and Mirna Garcia holds 29.79%. Steed has already declared victory, though the gap remains less than 200 votes.
City council and county races show mixed outcomes
At Fresno City Hall, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula has solidified his lead over Fresno Unified School District trustee Keshia Thomas, now ahead by 756 votes with 53.71% to Thomas’s 46.29%. Both candidates were unavailable for comment.
Other council contests are largely decided. In District 1, Naindeep Singh confirmed his win over Rob Fuentes, who has conceded. Singh’s margin grew to 54.37% against Fuentes’s 45.63%.
Ballot measures see decisive voter sentiment
County voters are rejecting two tax measures. Measure S, a transportation tax, remains well short of the required threshold, with 51.65% voting against it. Measure A, a hotel tax aimed at tourists, is also failing, garnering 55.72% opposition.
Conversely, Fresno City voters have strongly supported Mayor Jerry Dyer’s Measure D, a general‑purpose tax intended as a fiscal backstop should Measure S fail. The measure received 57.81% approval from more than 118,600 ballots cast.
Counting continues
Fresno County Clerk James Kus reported that over 10,000 ballots still need to be counted, with another update expected on Monday. As the numbers shift, candidates and their supporters are urging patience while the final tallies are verified.
The ongoing vote count underscores the importance of every ballot in shaping Fresno’s educational leadership, city governance, and fiscal direction. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official county channels as the results finalize.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
