A candidate running for Fresno City Council is facing backlash after records revealed his name is on the California sex offender registry. This candidate is Rene Campos, who announced his bid for the District 7 seat, sparking significant community debate.
Court records indicate that in 2018, Campos was prosecuted for possession of child sexual abuse material and subsequently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Under California law, a misdemeanor conviction does not automatically disqualify an individual from running for office once they have completed all legal obligations related to their sentence.
Campos’s candidacy has drawn criticism from political opponents and local residents. Candidate Nav Gurm expressed concern that a person on the sex offender registry should not be eligible to hold public office, especially when duties involve neighborhoods with schools.
However, according to James Kus, the Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters, current state law does not bar Campos from running. California regulations only disenfranchise those serving prison time for a felony; after release, they can re-register to vote and are eligible to run for office if they meet residency requirements.
Speaking to local media, Campos stated he is transparent about his past and believes the justice system has given him a second chance at rehabilitation. On his campaign page, he pledges to strengthen coordination between police, mental health services, and city government to address areas with high recidivism rates.
It should be noted that election laws in the United States vary significantly by state. While some states may restrict voting rights while an individual is incarcerated or on probation, California does not apply disenfranchisement to those with misdemeanor offenses. The Fresno City Council District 7 election is scheduled to take place according to the upcoming local election calendar.
