Former Democratic Congressional candidate Phil Arballo is rearing his head yet again in another Central Valley Congressional race.
This time, however, he is not entering the race as a candidate, instead opting to work as a consultant in a virtually un-winnable race.
The backstory: Arballo, a Fresno financial planner, first appeared on the scene ahead of the 2020 election as a challenger to Tulare Republican Devin Nunes. He routinely used Twitter to appeal for donations on a national level to defeat Nunes. He lost by more than eight points.
- Arballo ran again in 2022, this time for the open 13th District, which Modesto Republican John Duarte eventually won. Arballo was the main Democratic challenger to Asm. Adam Gray and missed the cut in the top-two primary by 13 points.
Driving the news: Now, Arballo is yet again getting involved in a district he has no conceivable way of winning. Clovis Democrat Jesus “Andy” Morales recently filed papers to run against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R–Bakersfield) in the 20th District.
- Arballo is listed as Morales’s treasurer in the longshot effort. the set-up will enable him to utilize a hefty donor database from his two Congressional bids to take rake in hefty consulting fees.
- McCarthy, who has been in Congress since 2007, defeated Bakersfield Democrat Marisa Wood by over 35 points in last November’s general election. He took home over two-thirds of the vote.
What they’re saying: Not all local Democrats are thrilled to see Arballo rear his head once again in a race that the GOP is virtually assured of winning.
- “What a waste,” Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias said on Twitter.
