Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza announced Thursday that he will no longer run for State Senate.
Esparza’s decision comes shortly after a poor fundraising report earlier this month.
Flashback: The two-term councilman was the first candidate to launch a campaign for Senate District 14 one year ago, hoping to succeed termed out Sen. Anna Caballero (D–Merced).
- He launched his campaign with a bevy of local support, ranging from Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, some of his council colleagues and later picking up an endorsement from Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno).
- But Asm. Esmeralda Soria (D–Fresno) threw a wrench in his plans by also launching her own campaign for the seat in March, with Caballero’s support.
Driving the news: Soria, who is in her second term in the Assembly and served on the Fresno City Council alongside Esparza, had a much stronger financial showing than Esparza.
- Soria raised over $380,000 in the first half of the year, leaving her with nearly $340,000 in the bank for the campaign.
- While Esparza reported having over $200,000 in his campaign account, he only raised $3,755 in the first half of the year.
What he’s saying: Esparza announced that he is suspending his campaign for State Senate and is endorsing Soria.
- “This campaign has never been about me or any one person. My career in public service has always been about giving a voice to working families, young people, seniors, immigrants, small businesses, and students, while always standing up for the most vulnerable,” Esparza said. “It has been about the people who are struggling to get by and the challenges they face every day.”
- He said the stakes of the 2026 election are too high for Central Valley families and too important for the future of California’s democracy.
- “That is why I have decided to meet this moment by stepping aside and giving my full support and endorsement to Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria’s campaign for State Senate,” Esparza said. “She and I share a vision for building a better and brighter California for our local communities. United together, I know we will protect this seat and defeat MAGA at every level of the ballot. I look forward to continuing to serve our Central Valley communities, and today that begins with unity.”
State of the race: Esparza’s exit leaves Soria as the only candidate in the race. Despite Esparza saying he is united with Soria in defeating “MAGA at every level of the ballot,” a Republican has not filed to run.
- Senate District 14 covers parts of Fresno, Madera, Merced and Tulare Counties. Democrats hold a 15% advantage in voter registration over Republicans.
- The district voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris by around four points over President Donald Trump last November. Caballero won the district by 12.6 points in 2022.
