On Oct. 11, the Central Valley Progressive Political Action Committee (CVPPAC) introduced many of its endorsed candidates for the 2026 election cycle at its annual fundraiser. The keynote speaker was Michael Tubbs, the former mayor of Stockton and current candidate for Lt. Governor of California.
“This is so inspiring,” Tubbs noted as he looked across the packed venue. “The fact that you all are still fighting, still pushing, still gathering—still in community—that’s the antidote to fascism.”
Another guest speaker, Layla Darwish, president of the Palestine Freedom Project, told the audience that “you care—because what’s happening to my people in Palestine is not just some distant tragedy, but a moral crisis that demands your attention, your voice, your leadership here at home.”
Darwish is creating local awareness about the Palestinians’ plight and was instrumental in the Palestinian flag-raising ceremony held in December 2023 at Eaton Plaza in downtown Fresno.
“You understand that the fight for justice in Palestine is deeply connected to the fight for justice here in the United States,” she stated.
The emcee, Simone Cranston-Rhodes, who is president of the CVPPAC, introduced several of the organization’s endorsed candidates. The funds collected at the event will be distributed among those endorsed candidates.
Rey León, who is running to replace retiring Buddy Mendes for Fresno County Board of Supervisors District 4, recognized the struggles in his small hometown of Huron. León has served as mayor of Huron for almost a decade.
“Sometimes I wonder,” he said, “should I be looking over my shoulders because Huron is the only sanctuary city in the county? Should I be worried because we’re the only city in the state that has passed a ‘no vigilante’ law?
“Bounty hunters coming into the community and assaulting my families? My officers have orders to put a stop to it,” León proudly told the crowd.
“I am of the people, soy del pueblo, soy de la gente, that’s how I grew up, serving my people—and I will continue to do so,” he said.
León exited the stage to excited chants of “¡Sí se puede! ¡Sí se puede!”—yes it can be done, yes we can do it! León wants to make a difference for disenfranchised farmworker families in Fresno County as the District 4 supervisor.
“As a lifelong resident of the Central Valley and as a member of the Progressive PAC, I’m honored to have your endorsement,” said Sandra Celedon, candidate for Assembly District 31, acknowledging her supporters.
“I decided to run because, as we all know, the simple fact is career politicians have left our community behind.
“There’s a reason that folks feel disenfranchised—and that’s because career politicians have promised and promised that they’re going to make our lives better, but in fact, things remain the same for many, and in fact worse for a lot of us.
“We need leaders who don’t just talk, but show up and deliver real results for folks.
“What I have learned through my parents is the power of community—that when you show up for people, they show up for you. And, we have to show up for each other. Impossible things are made possible by people.”
Naindeep Singh is a candidate for Fresno City Council District 1, which is an open seat as the incumbent is seeking higher office. “In Fresno, there is often a ‘tale of two cities,’ but in some ways, I call it a ‘city of two tails,’” he joked.
“But, there’s also a story of love,” Singh reflected. “Some people call it resiliency—I’d really like to see a city that can thrive and not merely survive.
“That means that what is good for our neighbor is what we will also champion, that we’re really here to build that community together. It’s really that throughline of love that brings folks together.”
With a passionate appeal for her hometown, Ariana Martinez Lott, candidate for Fresno City District 7, noted that “District 7 is the only home my kids have ever known and I am in this race because, for the last 15 years, I have lived in a community with mothers who have taught me what courage looks like, when they are willing to speak up and say ‘our neighborhoods deserve better.’
”As a mother, I am tired of politicians moving into District 7.
“With some of the oldest, most disinvested neighborhoods—I am tired of our neighborhoods being sold out to big developers and urban sprawl. Our neighborhoods are not political stepping stones.”
Also speaking was Maria Lemus on behalf of Fresno City Council District 3 candidate Joaquin Arambula.
The CVPPAC (cvppac.org) recruits, endorses and supports candidates for office who are committed to the core values of Central Valley residents as expressed by the CVPPAC. These core values include, but are not limited to, climate, class, gender, immigrant and racial justice.
