![\"Ariana](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MARTINEZ_LOTT_GURM.jpg\" "\\"Ariana")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Ariana Martinez Lott, left, with Nav Gurm, right, photographed Friday, April 17, 2026, in downtown Fresno<\/p>\n
ERIC PAUL ZAMORA<\/p>\n
ezamora@fresnobee.com<\/p>\n
Are Nav Gurm\u2019s age and heritage issues in a Fresno City Council race? A recent survey wants to know.<\/p>\n
Voters in District 7 \u2014 east-central Fresno \u2014 received a Survey Monkey poll in the first week of September, conducted by Political Opinion Research. Among the 18 questions asked, the survey wanted to know \u201cdoes a candidate\u2019s religious background or traditional cultural attire, such as a turban, affect your willingness to vote for that candidate?\u201d<\/p>\n
It also asks \u201cwould a candidate being 26 years old make you more likely or less likely to support them?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gurm, 26, an attorney, is the only candidate fitting those descriptions. He is running against community advocate Ariana Martinez Lott, 39, for the open District 7 seat. They are former City Hall staffers.<\/p>\n
Current District 7 Councilmember Nelson Esparza is terming out.<\/p>\n
Both candidates told The Fresno Bee separately that the survey did not come from them. The candidates each condemned the survey question, calling it racist.<\/p>\n
Gurm would be the first Fresno councilmember of Sikh heritage. Another Sikh candidate, Naindeep Singh, is running in District 1. The candidates each wear turbans, which traditionally represent a Sikh\u2019s commitment to their faith.<\/p>\n
A survey question about the Fresno City Council District 7 race asks about a candidate wearing a turban. Screenshot of survey Candidates reject survey premise<\/p>\n
It is unclear who commissioned the survey.<\/p>\n
A phone number for Political Opinion Research included at the end of the survey only gives an option to opt out of future surveys. An email for a website with the Political Opinion Research name \u2014 saying it is based in Michigan \u2014 bounced back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI stand strongly against any prejudice or racism towards any candidates. A person\u2019s religion or ethnicity shouldn\u2019t be used as a smear tactic in any campaign,\u201d Martinez Lott said. \u201cI am focused on issues that affect the people of District 7 and the city of Fresno. As City Hall seeks to propose additional taxes and pass SEDA, I am in this race to ensure transparency and accountability with our hard-earned dollars. I will remain committed and give it my all to the finish line. \u201c<\/p>\n
Gurm said voters are \u201ctired of distractions,\u201d calling out the survey\u2019s \u201canti-Sikh bigotry\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing, but not surprising, that someone decided to test my faith and my age as reasons not to vote for me. Voters should judge me on my ability to fix our roads and sidewalks, make it easier to open a small business in Fresno, and create safer neighborhoods through watch programs, not on my age or the fact that I am a proud Sikh American who wears a turban. But if that\u2019s all they have, bring it on,\u201d Gurm said.<\/p>\n