California Sex Offender Runs for Fresno City Council

A registered sex offender in California is urging voters to overlook his past while seeking a position on the Fresno City Council.

Rene Campos is vying for the District 7 seat, which is currently held by City Councilman Nelson Esparza. While candidates typically highlight their community involvement, Campos faces the challenge of his name being listed on the state’s sex offender registry.

Interestingly, California law does not bar sex offenders from holding local office.

“Fresno deserves a leader who is upfront, and I’m committed to being that leader,” Campos said.

In 2018, Campos was charged with possessing child sexual abuse material but entered a no contest plea to a misdemeanor.

On his campaign website, he asserts, “We will collaborate with police, mental health services, and city teams to address high crime areas.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society through the court system,” he remarked. “They say let’s choose someone who thinks creatively, someone who understands the law, as I have firsthand experience with the very reforms we’re pursuing.”

The Fresno County Clerk, James Kass, noted that state law allows Campos to run for office. “Upon release from prison, you can re-register to vote, and as long as you reside in the correct area, you’re eligible to run,” Kass explained.

In California, voting rights are typically restored immediately after release from prison, except if one is serving a felony sentence.

Nav Gulum, a local small business owner and attorney, is also in the running for the District 7 seat and opposes Campos’ candidacy. He believes individuals with such a background should be disqualified from public office. “If I can’t go to school, how can I represent a community?” he questioned.

“How can a registered sex offender fulfill their duties if they’re banned from school property?” Gulum continued. “Unlike my opponent, my name isn’t on any unsavory lists, just on the dean’s list from college.”

Gulum aims to advance Fresno and has reached out to state legislators about potential legislation to prevent registered sex offenders from running for office in the future.

“It should be illegal in California for a registered sex offender to run for office,” he asserted.

His campaign, which began last year, is endorsed by Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and local officials.

“Mr. Campos’ campaign is a distraction. I’ve been working for a year to connect with voters,” Gulum said. “City government is about delivering genuine results, not attention-seeking gestures.”

The candidates have exchanged barbs on social media. Campos remarked, “If you trust in the law, you must also believe in rehabilitation. The law allows me to run, and the voters will decide.”

Campos also expressed he’s not hiding his past. “Child abuse is unacceptable, and I promote accountability and reforms that protect children,” he added. “If policy discussions are needed, let’s do them face-to-face.”

Gulum stated he is not interested in further discussions regarding Campos as more pressing matters arise.

Alongside Gulum, businessman AJ Rassamuni and his mother, Ariana Martinez Lott, are also candidates for the position.

The Department of Justice indicates that voting rights are typically lost for felony convictions, while misdemeanors do not affect them.

In some states, voting rights are only lost if a person is currently incarcerated, regardless of the crime.

As of the end of business Wednesday, Campos had yet to file his candidacy. The primary election is scheduled for June 2nd.

A call to Campos for comment was not returned.