Visalia Mayor Bob Link will not be seeking reelection, and there is already a candidate vying to replace him on City Council.
Brett Taylor, a Visalia planning commissioner, announced he is running for Link’s District 2 seat. Taylor is the CEO of the Tulare County Realtor’s Association, and he has served on the planning commission since 2012.
Taylor told the Visalia Times-Delta he felt it is the right time to run now that Link is retiring. He said he would not have run against Link, and he plans on advocating for property owners and businesses.
“I love living in Visalia and raising my children here,” Taylor told the Times-Delta. We have been blessed with wonderful leaders who have helped Visalia become such a great community. I would like to use my business and governmental experience to make sure we remain a fantastic place to live.”
Taylor, a Visalia native, graduated from Redwood High School and has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business.
Link will retire after 21 years serving on the city council. He was first elected in 1999, and he served as the mayor from 2002-2004 and 2009-2011.
The mayor previously owned Link’s Men’s and Women’s Wear in downtown Visalia. Link’s father started the business in 1941, and it was open until Link retired from it in 2013.
So far, Taylor is the first candidate to replace Link. The election will be in the November general election.
There are no Visalia city elections in the March primary.
