Endorsement considerations from Fresno’s local LGBT caucus isn’t going forward without a dose of controversy.
Fresno Stonewall Democrats received applications for endorsements from two local candidates in particular that are raising some questions.
Fresno County: Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco and former State Center Community College District Trustee Eric Payne were the only two candidates to seek out the endorsement from Fresno Stonewall Democrats.
They are running for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in District 1. The race also includes Fresno City Council President Mike Karbassi, West Hills Community College Trustee Omar Hernandez, Firebaugh City Councilman Felipe Perez and Mendota Unified Trustee Lupe Flores.
Her answer appears to be false. Pacheco endorsed former Rep. John Duarte (R–Modesto) over then-Assemblyman, now Congressman Adam Gray (D-Merced) in 2024, according to the former Congressman’s still-active campaign website.
City of Fresno: Fresno City Councilman Brandon Vang also submitted a questionnaire to Fresno Stonewall Democrats seeking an endorsement.
Yet Vang drew the ire from the LGBT community when he served on the Sanger Unified Board of Trustees.
In 2022, the Sanger Unified Board unanimously approved revisions to the district’s policies regarding controversial issues. The policy stated that teachers “may not advocate his/her personal opinion or point of view” when leading or guiding class discussions about issues that may be controversial.
The policy also stated that teachers must use “professional judgement when deciding whether or not a particular issue is suitable for study or discussion.” Teachers are required to consult with the superintendent or a designee as necessary to determine the appropriateness of related instructional material or resources.
That led the LGBT community to speak out against the policy, since it covered large items hung up on the wall that do not pertain to the subject topic, such as pride flags.
Sanger Unified told KMPH at the time that the decision was “not to shutter acceptance or expression, but rather to ensure a safe learning environment for all points of view and to maximize learning and understanding amongst everyone.”
Shortly after the district revised its policy, more than a dozen people spoke out against the revision at a board meeting in December 2023, arguing it was a targeted ban on the LGBT community.