Fresno County Supervisor Race: Where Does Diane Pearce Stand on Issues?

Even before a Fresno County board of supervisors seat is vacant, two prominent Clovis names have positioned themselves in a race to replace Supervisor Nathan Magsig should he be elected to the state Senate in November.

Magsig, a Republican, is heavily favored to replace termed-out Sen. Shannon Grove in the heavily-GOP, Bakersfield-anchored 12th District.

Last week, GV Wire interviewed Clovis Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua about what he would prioritize as supervisor for District 5, which includes portions of Clovis and eastern Fresno County.

As a follow-up, GV Wire quizzed Clovis Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce on county issues. Those include housing and homelessness, public safety, and social issues such as LGBTQ representation.

More pressing for supervisors, perhaps, is the potential hundred-million-dollar budget shortfall for essential county services such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh. Pearce said as supervisor, she would  address waste and abuse.

“That means taking a deep dive into each department to ensure there is no waste, fraud, or abuse going on and that all programs the county funds are necessary and effective,” Pearce said. “We cannot afford to be spending our scarce revenues on programs that are not meeting objectives or showing positive results, and I want to make sure that is not the case.”

County Services Have Become ‘Hammocks’

In March, the Department of Public Health revealed that cuts in Medi-Cal could result in the county covering medical costs for between 11,000 and 30,000 residents, adding a potential $241 million in uncovered costs. The county will also likely have to cover more costs for CalFresh, adding another $7 million.

Pearce said she would address budget shortfalls by taking a “deep dive” into program effectiveness. She said able-bodied adults of working age should not strain the system by getting free handouts.

“Programs that were created as safety nets have been turned into hammocks. And citizens bear the burden of the increased cost of living as politicians seek political points and try to increase the number of people, including illegal aliens, on the government dole,” Pearce said.

Greater Cooperation With Federal Immigration Enforcement

Pearce said she would focus on public safety as supervisor. With the district divided between urban Clovis and north Fresno and the expansive foothill and mountain communities, Pearce said wildfire prevention is key.

She also said the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Fresno County District Attorney’s Office would be funded before any other department, saying law enforcement needs every tool available.

She added that she would advocate for cooperation with federal authorities on immigration enforcement.

“One change I would support, and have already advocated for, is to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and make Fresno County a ‘non-sanctuary’ for criminal illegal aliens,” Pearce said.

Law Enforcement to Prosecute ‘Criminal Vagrants’

Pearce said she would work to reduce red tape and regulatory costs on home construction. She said focusing on low-income housing construction worsens affordability for working families.

“We need to let builders build in smart growth patterns and make the process as unburdensome as possible,” Pearce said.

On homelessness, Pearce said housing first models don’t work. She said as a Christian woman, she has an obligation to help connect people with services.

At the same time, she would use law enforcement to prosecute uncooperative  homeless people.

“I will do everything in my power to see that aggressive panhandlers, criminal vagrants, and addicts who refuse treatment, who leave needles on our playgrounds, urinate and defecate in public, and generally make life miserable for businesses and residents won’t see a minute’s peace until they are locked up or chased out of the county,” Pearce said.

Libraries Should Be ‘Safe, Clean’

In recent months, supervisors limited participation of county departments in social issues such as Pride Month. The board voted in May to deny participation of the library in the June event.

Pearce said she supports that decision and also told GV Wire that libraries should “safe, clean places to enjoy books; they are not a place for agendas.”

She said her stance on LGBTQ issues would not affect the mandate that the county treat everyone equally.

“From public safety to public utilities, county residents should receive the same standard of service,” Pearce said. “Celebrating someone’s sexual preference has nothing to do with delivering county services.”

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