Sex offender files paperwork to run for city council — but hasn’t gotten the 20 signatures needed to make the ballot
A controversial figure, Rene Campos, a registered sex offender, has officially made his bid for Fresno City Council by taking the oath of office and requesting his candidacy paperwork for District 7. Despite the widespread outrage due to his past criminal record, Campos remains determined to run for office.
As of now, Campos has not turned in the required 20 signatures to officially get on the ballot, but he released a statement confirming that he has completed the oath and is in the process of finalizing the necessary paperwork. The County Clerk and Registrar of Voters, James Kus, clarified that every candidate must take the oath of office as part of the nomination filing process.
In a statement, Campos invoked the Constitution to justify his controversial run, emphasizing that everyone deserves a chance and that the Constitution is meant to protect everyone, regardless of their past. Reports suggested that Campos had filed the necessary papers, but the county clerk’s office stated that he had not submitted any candidate documents as of yet.
Kus mentioned that it would be announced over the weekend if Campos had obtained the required number of signatures to officially be named on the ballot. The deadline for submitting the signatures was 5 p.m. on the same day, and if Campos returns the signatures later, they will be indicated in the report over the weekend.
Campos’s decision to run for office has sparked outrage in the city, with his rivals calling for his disqualification from public office due to his criminal history. Several members of the Fresno City Council have expressed support for a local ordinance to ban registered sex offenders from serving in office. California Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria also plans to introduce a bill to prevent registered sex offenders from running for public office.
Despite the backlash, a left-wing activist group of lawyers, including attorney Janice Bellucci, has come forward to defend Campos’s right to run for office, citing constitutional rights. Bellucci emphasized that Campos has served his time and does not pose a current risk of reoffending.
The election is scheduled for June 2, and Campos’s candidacy continues to stir controversy and debate in Fresno. The community remains divided on whether someone with Campos’s criminal background should be allowed to hold public office, raising important questions about rehabilitation, redemption, and public trust.
