![\"Fresno](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FRS_FRESNOCOUNTYCOURTHOUSESIGN.JPG\" "\\"Fresno")
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Fresno County Superior Courthouse, 1100 Van Ness Ave, Fresno on March 2, 2021.<\/p>\n
JOHN WALKER<\/p>\n
FRESNO BEE FILE<\/p>\n
Fresno County voters will be electing six new judges for the Fresno County Superior Court this election cycle, the most in recent history.<\/p>\n
Superior court judges are appointed by the governor when a vacancy happens in the middle of an elected term. But when a judge serves their six-year term, they can run for reelection.<\/p>\n
In Fresno County\u2019s case, several judges chose not to run again, creating open seats and attracting a slew of well-known candidates, including current court commissioners, high-profile prosecutors, and longtime defense attorneys.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can not remember an election cycle in Fresno County where there have been this many judicial positions open,\u201d said attorney Robert Oliver, a retired Fresno County Superior Court judge.<\/p>\n
The ballot lists 18 judge\u2019s races in the county, but only six are contested.<\/p>\n
Topping the list for most campaign contributions is Jennifer Hamilton, currently a Fresno County Superior Court commissioner who handles family law cases. Hamilton is also the spouse of Jeffrey Hamilton, the presiding judge for the Fresno County Superior Court.<\/p>\n
As of April 23, Jennifer Hamilton has raised $162,605 and has spent $52,893 with $109,711 left on hand. Her donors include some of the city\u2019s most successful lawyers and business leaders.<\/p>\n
Plaintiff personal injury lawyer Warren Paboojian gave Hamilton $10,000 while developer Ed Kashian dropped $20,000 into her campaign. Several current judges also donated, including $1,000 from Stephanie Negin, $1,000 from Michael Idiart and $1,000 from Bob Whalen.<\/p>\n
Hamilton is running against Jamie Xiong-Vang, an administrative law judge for the California Department of Social Services. She has raised $64,122.<\/p>\n
Another candidate with a hefty campaign fund is Noelle Pebet, a Superior Court commissioner, who has raked in $138,450. So far, she has spent $60,867 and has $77,582 remaining. Her top donor is Joseph Pebet who contributed $25,000. He is identified on campaign finance reports as a mechanic with United Airlines.<\/p>\n
Noelle Pebet has also loaned herself $100,000. Five current Superior Court judges have also given her money, including Stephanie Negin, Gary Green, Kimberly Gaab, Charles Lee, William Hamlin and Michael Idiart, her uncle.<\/p>\n
Her challenger, defense attorney Eddie Ruiz, has raised $21,954 and has spent $13,865. He has $8,088 remaining. His largest supporters including the law firm of Perez, Williams, Medina and Rodriguez who gave him $1,000. Fellow defense attorneys Kevin Little and Jon Renged, gave Ruiz $500 each. And Mark Salazar, deputy chief of the Fresno Police Department, donated $250.<\/p>\n
Former prosecutor and current defense attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt has raised $88,201. He\u2019s spent $40,152, with $50,608 remaining. His biggest donors are lawyer Nicholas Wagner who gave $2,094; Cencal Services Inc. with a $5,235 donation and $5,235 from Harry Bhangoo, president of Ace Freightways.<\/p>\n
Hammerschmidt has loaned his campaign $40,000. Hammerschmidt\u2019s opponent, public defender Jose Salazar, has raised $17,576.<\/p>\n
The third candidate in this race is defense attorney Curtis Sok, who has rasied $30,257 with $19,741 remaining.<\/p>\n
Defense attorney Miles Harris has raised $43,026. His donors include Everk Hospitality, that gave $3,388. Harris is running against Jennifer L. Smith, a senior deputy district attorney who has collected $39,292. Her biggest donor was from attorney Alexia Kirkland from Torrance, who gave $6,000.<\/p>\n
Lawyer Marc Kapetan has raised $75,505 and has $62,399 left on hand. He has spent $11,105 so far. Kapetan, whose brother Jon Kapetan is a former Fresno County Superior Court judge, received $20,000 from Lance Kashian, one of Fresno\u2019s leading development firms. Restaurateur David Fansler contributed $2,000 to Kapetan.<\/p>\n
Running against Kapetan is Rosalina Nunez, an attorney specializing in bankruptcy, disability and social security issues. She has raised $23,632 and has spent $18,819 with $6,335 remaining.<\/p>\n
In the race to fill the No. 6 judicial position is Ashley Paulson, Deidre Adams and Steven Ueltzen.<\/p>\n
Ueltzen is a senior deputy district attorney in Fresno County and has raised $67,225. He has spent $32,028 and has $36,713 remaining. He has received $5,900 from Bonnie Ueltzen and $5,900 from Michael Ueltzen. Steven Ueltzen has also loaned his campaign $50,000.<\/p>\n
Deidre Adams, a criminal defense attorney, has raised $29,582. She\u2019s spent $21,185 and has $13,134 remaining. Adams has received contributions from attorney Kevin G. Little, who donated $3,500. Attorney Tina Wang gave her $1,000 and Nicholas Reyes contributed $500.<\/p>\n
Former prosecutor Ashley Paulson has raised $36,774, having spent $12,301, with $24,473 remaining. Jay\u2019s Construction has given her $10,000 and CV Truss Inc. has donated $5,000. Developer Richard Spencer has contributed $2,500 to her campaign.<\/p>\n
Here are the candidates, their occupations and partial statements from the Fresno County Voter Information Guide.<\/p>\n
Office No. 3<\/p>\n
Rosalina Nunez, attorney: \u201cGrowing up here shaped who I am an instilled in me a deep respect for family faith and community. I understand the people of Fresno because I am one of them,\u201d Nunez said.<\/p>\n
Marc Kapetan, attorney: \u201cMy courtroom experience has given me a clear and understanding of the responsibility entrusted to a judge. I will bring independence, decisiveness, sound judgment and common sense to the bench,\u201d Kapetan said.<\/p>\n
Deidre Adams, senior deputy defense attorney, major crimes: \u201cMy decision to run for Superior Court Judge is rooted in perseverance, service and a lifelong commitment to justice. The path that brought me to the courtroom was not easy. Like many people in our community, I have faced challenges that required determination, discipline and faith in the power of hard work,\u201d Adams said.<\/p>\n
Ashley Paulson, chief prosecuting attorney, city of Fresno: \u201cFresno County deserves strong leadership on the bench built from real experience. For a decade, I served you as a Deputy and Senior Deputy District Attorney with the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office prosecuting some of the most serious and complex cases our community faces…\u201d Paulson said.<\/p>\n
Steven Ueltzen, senior deputy district attorney, Fresno County: \u201cCentral Valley born and raised, I am the lead prosecutor of the District Attorney\u2019s Office\u2019s DUI Unit, handling major injury and fatal cases. I have prosecuted over fifty homicides through conviction,\u201d Ueltzen said.<\/p>\n
Office No. 7<\/p>\n
Jose L. Salazar, defense attorney: \u201cI\u2019m not an insider, and right now, I think we need more everyday people like me to serve. I am an underdog who needs your support and I believe in fairness integrity and standing up for our community,\u201d Salazar said.<\/p>\n
Jeff Hammerschmidt, governments investigations attorney: \u201cI\u2019ve 38 years of legal and trial experience as a prosecutor and private attorney. I served as a Deputy District Attorney for the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office for more than 12 years. As a deputy district attorney, I had various assignments including on the homicide team,\u201d Hammerschmidt said.<\/p>\n
Curtis Sok, indigent defense attorney\/small businessman: \u201cFor the past 26-years as an attorney, I have dedicated my career to protecting the constitutional rights of indigent clients. I know that safeguarding their rights protects the rights of everyone in our community, because we are all guaranteed the same rights and the same standard of justice,\u201d Sok said.<\/p>\n
Office No. 9<\/p>\n
Noelle Elyse Pebet, Fresno County Superior Court commissioner: \u201cAs a Fresno County Superior Court Commissioner, I am chosen by the court\u2019s judges to serve as a judicial officer. As commissioner I preside over civil limited, misdemeanor, domestic violence and family support cases. I rule on evidence, ensure fairness in proceedings and issue thoughtful and impartial decisions,\u201d Pebet said.<\/p>\n
Eddie Ruiz, attorney\/farmer. Ruiz did not submit a candidate statement.<\/p>\n
Office No. 12<\/p>\n
Jennifer Smith, Fresno County, senior deputy district attorney: \u201cAs a lifelong prosecutor, community member and youth advocate, I have the experience and temperament to serve as judge. I was born and raised in Fresno County, the daughter of Dr. Noel & Gloria Smith and spent time being involved with our family business, Sterling & Smith Funeral Home,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n
Miles Harris, attorney, \u201cAs a father of four, I think about the world my children grow up in and the example I set for them. When they see me leave for work each day I want them to know their father chose a path rooted in fairness, service and helping people through difficult moments of their lives,\u201d Harris said.<\/p>\n
Office No. 4<\/p>\n
Jennifer L. Hamilton, Fresno County Superior Court commissioner, division supervisor: \u201cAs a Fresno Superior Court Commissioner, I conduct trials, enter judgments, rule on complex legal issues and run large calendars. I have 29 years of real courtroom experience in Fresno Superior Court, including six years as a commissioner, nine years prosecuting crime and years more as an attorney advocating for children and families,\u201d Hamilton said.<\/p>\n
Jamie Xiong-Vang, administrative law judge: \u201cI am prepared, experienced and committed to serving as a Fresno Superior Court Judge. Every day I evaluate evidence, make difficult decisions and uphold the Constitution, responsibilities that directly reflect the duties of a Superior Court Judge. I will continue to serve with integrity, fairness and dedication to justice for our community,\u201d Xiong-Vang said.<\/p>\n
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