Government & Politics

The Valley Votes – 2020 Elections Coverage

This year, Valley Public Radio is doing elections coverage differently. We’re asking listeners and residents, what do you want candidates to talk about? Are you concerned about healthcare, housing, or homelessness?We put out a survey from July through October to find out. More than 150 residents throughout the San Joaquin Valley took the survey.The most concerning issue for many is how the economy will recover from COVID-19. Others identified housing and homelessness in local communities as a major issue; others were most concerned for the environment. As we interview candidates and continue our election coverage, we’ll keep these responses in mind. You can keep up with our coverage on this page, or send questions about our process to Laura Tsutsui at ltsutsui@kvpr.org.

Measure P Leader Elliott Balch Making Bid For Fresno Mayor

KVPR | By Laura Tsutsui

Published May 31, 2019 at 10:36 AM PDT

Elliott Balch, COO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, recently filed to run for the mayor of Fresno.

Another candidate has thrown his hat into the ring to be the City of Fresno’s mayor. Elliott Balch, Chief Operations Officer of the Central Valley Community Foundation, filed to run Wednesday. Last year Balch helped lead the campaign for Measure P, a sales tax that would have funded city parks.

The race for mayor also includes retiring Police Chief Jerry Dyer, who announced his candidacy Wednesday, Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz, and city councilman Luis Chavez, who hasn’t yet officially filed to run.