There will be at least three — and maybe four new Fresno city councilmembers coming by early next year. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said his governing philosophy won’t change after the November election, but the potential changes in culture and policy focus “scares” him.
“The culture will change, depending on who gets into office. There could be a substantial shift in the direction that the council goes, and that scares me,” he said. “If we don’t get the right people in there, with the desire to serve the people of Fresno, or they have an agenda that is not consistent with mine, then it’s going to be a rough last two years for me.”
Mayor Jerry Dyer poses for a photo with Miss California Teen Julianne Rocke, left, and Miss California Sharlize True Trujillo, at the Rotary Club of Fresno on Aug. 3, 2026. David Taub The Fresno Bee
Dyer made the comments during a speech at the Rotary Club of Fresno on Monday. He was fielding a question from District 6 Councilmember Nick Richardson about how Dyer’s approach might change with the new councilmembers.
“The vision won’t change for me — inclusive, prosperous, beautiful city where people take pride in their neighborhood and their community, a type of government that listens, keeps its promises, and is owned by the people. It won’t change. The One Fresno philosophy won’t change,” Dyer said.
“One Fresno” has been Dyer’s campaign slogan for years. He said he would find ways to establish common ground with a new council.
Dyer has supported council legislation from nearly every member, often appearing at news conferences. He terms out in January 2029.
Three new councilmembers coming
No one running in the Nov. 3 election is an incumbent.
Voters in District 1 will select between attorney and SCCCD Trustee Rob Fuentes and Jakara Movement leader and Central Unified Trustee Naindeep Singh; in District 3, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula faces Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas; and in District 7, community advocate Ariana Martinez Lott faces attorney and former City Hall staffer Nav Gurm.
All the candidates are registered Democrats. Singh and Martinez Lott are more progressive than their respective opponents. Dyer is a registered Republican, but he has governed from the moderate-center. He calls himself a “fiscal conservative,” but rarely takes right-wing positions on social issues.
Dyer has endorsed Fuentes and Gurm.
“I continue to support those folks. I’m committed. When I make a commitment on an endorsement, I’m not going to go back on it. But I have not made a decision in D3, and I don’t believe that I will between now and November,” Dyer said.
There is also a possibility that a special election takes place next year in District 2, if Councilmember Mike Karbassi wins his race for Fresno County supervisor.
During his first term, Dyer had to work with new councilmembers, and says it was not easy.
“When I first came as a mayor, I wasn’t well received by the council. In fact, I had endorsed a few of their opponents who lost, and so my first year was a rough road,” Dyer said.
In 2020, Dyer endorsed Nathan Alonzo over District 4 winner Tyler Maxwell. The two appear to have put aside any ill feelings long ago, having consistently supported each other. Last week, when it appeared Dyer might be run for a third term, Maxwell supported the move. The Fresno City Council ultimately decided not to pursue extended term limits.
Mayor Jerry Dyer poses for a photo with Miss California Teen Julianne Rocke, left, and Miss California Sharlize True Trujillo, at the Rotary Club of Fresno on Aug. 3, 2026. David Taub The Fresno Bee Fundraising
The six candidates in the November city council runoffs released fundraising figures, for the period of May 17 to June 30, and since the start of the year.
In District 3, Thomas raised nearly $10,000 more than Arambula in the latest reporting period. Both have had rough headlines in the last few months. Thomas is in the middle of a defamation lawsuit against former Bullard High School football coach Don Arax. Arambula missed a month in session while in rehabilitation for alcohol, marijuana and video game addiction. He is also going through a divorce.
Arambula has raised more for the year. Thomas as more cash on hand.
Gurm has raised more money this year — the most of the November candidates — doubling Martinez Lott. He has raised slightly more for the reporting period and has more cash on hand.
Singh raised six-figures for the year, and leads in cash raised this year and has more cash on hand. However, Fuentes nearly tripled Singh’s total for the reporting period.
This story was originally published August 6, 2026 at 11:22 AM.
The Fresno Bee
David Taub joined the Fresno Bee in 2026 after reporting 10 years for digital publication GV Wire. He has worked in the Fresno market since 2007. Prior to moving to the Central Valley, he worked for TV and radio stations on the Central Coast. He has also worked behind the scenes in local TV and radio. During his career, he has covered City Hall, the state Capitol, the White House and several houses of government in between. When not in a reporting capacity, he works tracking stats for the Fresno Grizzlies as an official scorekeeper, and also with televised basketball and football games. He has worked the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and several MLB games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue!