The residents of Fresno City Council District 7 will be voting to elect a new Council Member on the June 2 primary. District 7 is currently represented by Nelson Esparza who has been “termed out.” The district represents the east-central Fresno area. There are four people running for the seat. If none of the candidates garner more than 50% of the vote there will be a runoff in November 2026.
The Community Alliance sent questionnaires to three of the four candidates. We received responses from self-described community activist and small business owner Ariana Martinez-Lott and a businessperson, AJ Rassamni.
Despite repeated requests, attorney and small businessperson Nav Gurm did not respond before our press deadline. We were unable to contact Jason Keomanee as there was no contact phone number, website or e-mail available on the county Registrar of Voters’ website.
For full disclosure and transparency, the author has donated money to Ariana Martinez-Lott’s campaign in the past. Because of this, there is no commentary, analysis or opinion expressed in the article. The responses are edited for the print edition. Full unedited responses are available online at fresnoalliance.com.
Q: Why are you running for office?
AML: For the last 15 years, I have been fighting for more investments in our neighborhoods. Yet, throughout those last 15 years, I witnessed a disconnect between the decisions being made at City Hall and the lived experiences of my neighbors. Aspiring politicians continue to move into underserved districts to move up the political pipeline. I am running because this is my home, and my commitment is to the families I have grown to know and love over the last 15 years.
AJR: I am running for office because the government’s first duty is to protect and serve its people, and too many today feel unheard and unsafe. [I’m] bringing businesses and residents together to address crime, homelessness and economic decline…to bring practical solutions, accountability and leadership that puts people before politics.
Q: What do you think are the three to five most important issues facing the residents of District 7 and the City of Fresno overall?
AML: Unaffordable housing and skyrocketing costs, broken streets and sidewalks, lack of public safety and the need for more positive outlets for children and young people.
AJR: The most important issues facing District 7 and Fresno are public safety, homelessness, affordability, economic vitality, education and excessive red tape.
Q: What are your positions on those issues?
AML: All the concerns I heard from residents…come back to SEDA [Southeast Development Area]. Every issue we see in our district is connected to decades of unchecked outward growth. Measure C renewal as we anticipate a tax renewal with a shift toward local roads. Expand our Local Housing Trust Fund: Pursue additional dollars, and work with established and emerging affordable housing partners for alternative housing solutions such as community land trusts, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and rent-stabilized units. Public Safety Residential Response Team: I will work with the Fresno Police Department and key partners to identify best practices for community response for non-emergency and mental health calls. Investment in our youth.
AJR: On public safety, I support stronger enforcement and accountability to restore order. On homelessness, I advocate for structured safe camps with legal drugs for addiction treatment, job training and a path to housing, while using existing shelters to prevent people from becoming homeless. To address affordability, we must reduce costs by cutting unnecessary regulations. I will support small businesses by eliminating red tape and delays. Finally, we must invest in our youth through education, mentorship and opportunity, because they are 100% of our future.
Q: Do you agree with the current City of Fresno budget priorities regarding allocating more than half the General Fund to law enforcement, the mayor’s “Pave now, Pay later” plan, the SEDA proposal and the approach to homelessness and affordable housing?
AML: I believe every department should have the resources needed to serve the residents of Fresno. “Pave Now, Pay Later”… only touches the surface of the funding we need to address the crisis of our road conditions. We need a long-term funding source such as the community-led [“Better Roads, Safe Streets”] initiative tax renewal to repair our local roads. I am opposed to SEDA’s outward expansion plan because this proposal would stretch our public services far too thin. I am a strong supporter of addressing public safety threats deliberately caused by any individual. I do not believe in criminalizing an entire group of people for situations that are due to systemic challenges. I support evidence-based solutions such as the Housing First model.
AJR: Strong public safety funding must deliver results and accountability. Safe camps will reduce crime by moving people off the streets into structured environments with treatment and pathways to housing.
Q: Why should people vote for you over your opponents? What kind of leadership would you bring to the City Council?
AML: I did not move into the district to run for office, nor do I have political aspirations. I am a mother, and a long-time District 7 neighbor. I have 15 years of experience working alongside the families of Fresno. I will work to ensure the decisions being made at City Hall are driven by everyday people.
AJR: As founder of the Blackstone Merchants Association, I built a coalition of business owners and residents to confront crime and revitalize struggling corridors. [As a community advocate, my campaign is] about moving Fresno forward and putting people before politics.
Q: Who are the top five donors to your campaign?
AML: Fresno City Employees Association, Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula, Kevin Lott (teacher and my husband), National Women’s Political Caucus, Fresno Teachers Association
AJR: Mohamed Elhalmi, Jay Patel, Steve Cornelius, Mardig Yepremain, Richard Spencer
Q: Do you own or rent a home in District 7? How long have you lived in District 7? Do you have a business in District 7?
AML: We own, and have lived in the district for nine years. I have a small, [home-based] consulting company where I work with nonprofits and schools on various civic engagement initiatives.
AJR: I have lived here for the last year and a half, [but] my commitment to District 7 is not defined by residency time alone, but by consistent action and service. I have owned and operated a business in District 7 since 2007. In 2016, I founded the Blackstone Merchants Association in District 7 to support local businesses and residents, bringing people together to address crime, economic challenges and neighborhood revitalization.
Q: Do you have children who attend schools in District 7?
AML: Yes. My children have only gone to schools in District 7.
AJR: No.
