Avenal
Avenal voters will have two seats come open on the city council next month.
Those seats belong to Alvaro Preciado and Pablo Hernandez, both of whom are running for reelection.
They will face Raymond Knight as the third challenger for the open seats.
The top two vote getters will take office in November.
Corcoran
Corcoran’s three councilmembers up for reelection are not being challenged in November.
Councilmembers Greg Ojeda, Sidomio Palmerin and Jerry Robertson are gifted with a walkover.
Hanford
The Hanford City Council could see significant turnover in November.
District A Councilwoman Amanda Saltray was appointed to her seat in June 2021 and is now running for a full term next month.
Her challenger is Travis Paden, a teacher and city planning commissioner.
The Area D race will see Councilman Francisco Ramirez battle against retired weatherization supervisor Lou Martinez.
Ramirez was named in a lawsuit, alongside fellow Councilman Art Brieno, from community development director Darlene Mata.
Ramirez was named in the lawsuit for his advocating last year to lift the censure that the council had placed on Brieno, but he was dropped from it.
Brieno, the Area E councilman, is not running for reelection. He has been accused by Mata of harassment and discrimination. An independent investigation commissioned by the city found that 14 of Mata’s allegations were supported by evidence.
In May, the city council unanimously approved an agreement to allow Brieno and Ramirez to be represented by outside counsel.
The candidates to replace Brieno are retired law enforcement officer Mark Kairis and city parks and recreation commissioner Cheyne Strawn.
Lemoore
Unlike the controversy surrounding the Hanford City Council, the Lemoore City Council will be straightforward on the November ballot.
Area A Councilman Stuart Lyons and Area C Councilman Frank Gornick are both running unopposed.
