Local Politics
Progressive challenger Randy Villegas held a 65.1% to 34.9% lead over Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, in California's 22nd Congressional District race as of 10:45 p.m. Nov. 3, with about 44% of votes counted per the AP. Villegas claimed victory in a statement after 9 p.m., though Valadao had not conceded and the AP had not called the race. The district spans communities across Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern counties in the southern San Joaquin Valley, including Huron, Riverdale, Caruthers, Kerman, San Joaquin, Hanford, Porterville, Wasco, and portions of Bakersfield. If results hold, Villegas would become the first Latino to represent the Central Valley in Congress.
Local Politics · Kern County
Kern County Assistant Registrar of Voters Laura Cantu explained how ballots are tabulated after polls close, including high-speed scanning, signature verification for mail-in ballots, and a one-percent manual audit. Ballots from 90 polling locations and county drop-off sites are collected and processed at the Kern County Elections Office through the night. Livestreams of the counting process are available on kernvotes.com, with results updates every two hours after polls close and then every Tuesday and Thursday until all votes are verified.
Public Safety
The NWS Hanford office issued a dense fog advisory on Tuesday at 8:39 p.m. valid for Wednesday from midnight through 10 a.m. across much of the San Joaquin Valley. Visibility is expected to drop to a quarter mile or less, impacting State Routes 33, 41, 43, 99, 140, 145, 152, 168, 180 and 198. The advisory covers areas including Los Banos, Dos Palos, Merced, Madera, Mendota, Fresno-Clovis, Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, Visalia, Porterville, Reedley, Delano, Wasco, Shafter, and Kern County. The NWS urged drivers to slow down, use headlights, and leave extra distance, or avoid driving if possible.
Local Politics · Fresno County
Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig held about 62.5% of counted votes over Libertarian William Brown Jr.'s 37.5% in early returns for California Senate District 12 as of 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3, with more than 76,000 votes tallied. The district covers northeast Fresno and Clovis, plus portions of Tulare and Kern counties including parts of Visalia and Bakersfield. Magsig, a Republican who has served as District 5 supervisor since 2017, said his priorities would include infrastructure, forest management, water and energy policy. Brown, a Marine veteran from Visalia, campaigned on fiscal responsibility and reducing regulations.
Public Safety · McFarland, CA
Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Jim Costa attempted a drop-in visit Monday to the Golden State Annex, an ICE detainment facility in McFarland, Kern County, but were not admitted after officials claimed no ICE agents were present on site. The facility is operated by The Geo Group under a federal contract; attempts to reach the company, the facility, ICE, and DHS for comment went unanswered Monday. Padilla said his office receives reports regarding alarming conditions at the facility and has accused officials of not responding to basic inquiries. The visit comes amid increased ICE activity in Central Valley communities where residents have voiced concerns about enforcement.
