However, instead of offering specific plans to fix the problem or taking questions from the media, both walked away after finishing their remarks.<\/p>\n
GV Wire columnist Bill McEwen blasted what he described as City Hall\u2019s self-dealing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Richardson later appeared on KMJ with Philip Teresi<\/a>, where he effectively threw Vang under the bus. During a Thursday radio interview, Richardson said he was \u201cblindsided\u201d by the news conference, calling it a knee-jerk reaction to a Fresnoland story<\/a>.<\/p>\n Because it was Vang\u2019s news conference, Richardson told Teresi, it was up to him whether to answer questions. Richardson did not mention Vang by name.<\/p>\n Richardson said he also supports greater transparency.<\/p>\n Vang later sent two Facebook messages<\/a>, reiterating his support for contract reform. He offered more specifics about review and oversight of city contracts under $100,000. In both messages, Vang said he would not offer further comment or take additional questions.<\/p>\n One City Hall insider told Politics 101 that Vang\u2019s messages amounted to \u201csatire.\u201d<\/p>\n City Council President Mike Karbassi said he watched the news conference and later offered a comment to Politics 101.<\/p>\n \u201cAll I can suggest is for some folks to hire a consultant who can provide some pointers. I\u2019m happy to suggest a great one in town,\u201d Karbassi said.<\/p>\n Karbassi has used consultant Alex Tavlian in the past. Tavlian also held several contracts under Vang\u2019s predecessor, District 5 councilmember Luis Chavez.<\/p>\n When Vang took office in April 2025, he immediately canceled Tavlian\u2019s consulting contracts. On Wednesday, he called those contracts \u201cdeeply concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n Judge Vogt Not Running For Re-Election<\/p>\n John F. Vogt, a Fresno County Superior Court judge since 2003, told Politics 101 he will not seek re-election in 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not seeking re-election. My fourth term concludes this year. I have not yet set my retirement date,\u201d Vogt said.<\/p>\n Vogt\u2019s decision will leave a rare open judicial seat. When judges leave office midterm, often due to retirement, the governor has the authority to appoint a replacement.<\/p>\n Only eight of the 46 judges currently on the Fresno County bench entered office through election. The rest were appointed by governors. One seat remains vacant after the appointment of Arlan Harrell to the 5th District Court of Appeal last year.<\/p>\n Vogt is one of the eight, first winning election in 2002 by defeating Peter Kapetan for an open seat. He later won re-election in 2008, 2014 and 2020.<\/p>\n Before his election, Vogt spent 15 years in the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned his Juris Doctor from Golden Gate University.<\/p>\n Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Vogt\u2019s wife, Sosi Chitakian Vogt<\/a>, to the Madera County Superior Court bench in 2021.<\/p>\n Eighteen Fresno County judges are up for re-election on June 2. As of Friday morning, 15 incumbents had pulled papers to run. Of the remaining three, Vogt has confirmed he will not run. The intentions of judges Greg Fain and D Tyler Tharpe are unknown. Neither judge responded to a request for comment from Politics 101.<\/p>\n The declaration period for judicial candidates ends Feb. 4, but extends to Feb. 9 if an incumbent does not file.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Politics-101-logo-150x150.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Michael-Maher-150x150.jpeg\")
<\/a>Michael Maher<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/City-Manager-Andrew-Haussler-headshot-300X300-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>Andrew Haussler<\/p>\n