Today’s A1, above the fold Fresno Bee story on Fresno City Police Chief Jerry Dyer potentially entering the County Sheriff’s race is a bombshell and will no doubt change the dynamics of the race. According to the Bee, Dyer is seeking a ruling from the State Attorney General’s office to find out whether he can can serve simultaneously as Police Chief and Sheriff. Should he receive a favorable ruling, he’s probably in the race and most likely the presumed front runner. The issue? Consolidation of services between the Sheriff’s office and Fresno PD. It’s an issue that has been talked about to death, but as Police Chief and candidate for Sheriff, Dyer could make it happen. He is very visible and respected in the local area.
Declared candidates with some strength behind them are Sheriff’s Captain Colleen Mestas, who seems to have good community support and "under the radar" support from Congressman Radanovich’s operation; Clovis City Mayor and Clovis PD Captain Jose Flores, a recent Republican convert and strong Hispanic candidate, backed by Clovis Councilman Nathan Magsig; retired CHP officer Cal Minor, who shocked Mestas by garnering the support of the Fresno Deputy Sheriff’s Association at their meeting last week. The Minor campaign has veteran political consultant Tim Orman and Lincoln Club Vice Chairman Tal Cloud running the operation and the DSA endorsement was absolutely HUGE. The balance of candidates are fairly unknown.
If Dyer is in, much of the smart money will turn to him. Regardless, the Dyer/Mestas/Flores/Minor battle could be epic, and very, very nuclear in nature. It has been decades since Fresno County has had a countywide office battle shaping up like this. Finally, some excitement around here!