Mike Karbassi, currently President of the Fresno City Council, is running for Fresno County Board of Supervisors District 1 in the November 2026 election against Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco. Karbassi originally launched a campaign for Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters, but dropped that race in December 2025, days after incumbent Supervisor Brian Pacheco announced he would not seek re-election, and entered the open District 1 supervisor race instead; he later stepped down as Council President to focus on the campaign, though he remains on the city council. His platform centers on public safety, road repair, addressing illegal dumping, improving parks, and increasing water deliveries to farmers.
Karbassi led a six-candidate June 2026 primary field with about 36% of the vote and had raised nearly $200,000 by one filing point, roughly four times his nearest rival. He has been endorsed by three sitting county supervisors, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, and local law enforcement and firefighter unions.
