Kingsburg City Councilwoman Jewel Hurtado announced on Twitter Wednesday that she will not seek to serve a second term.
Hurtado, 23, was elected to represent District 1 in the November 2018 election, one of the youngest female council members to serve in the position in Kingsburg’s history.
“After much consideration, I have decided not to seek a second term on the Kingsburg City Council. It has been a great privilege to represent District 1 or the past for years and I am proud of the work we have put in,” Hurtado stated on Twitter. “I am looking forward to having more time to pour into my family and have no plans on leaving my role of service.”
Hurtado was recognized as a trailblazer — a young, Latina, single mother elected to public office — even getting a video shoutout from U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But her public service was also met with criticism and controversy.
In May 2021, the Kingsburg City Council rejected a proposal from Hurtado to proclaim June as Pride Month for the city, stirring controversy in the community. A few days later, a recall effort began with a petition, but it failed to get enough signatures to go to vote.
She also faced scrutiny after a 2021 arrest for driving under the influence.
Get the full story: Read more.
