A registered sex offender convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material is running for Fresno City Council, exploiting a loophole in California law that allows him to seek office despite his criminal past—and city officials are scrambling to stop him.
Convicted Offender Exploits Legal Loophole
Rene Campos faces no legal barrier to his city council bid despite his 2018 arrest and 2021 no contest plea to possessing child sexual abuse material. California law allows registered sex offenders to run for local office once they regain voting rights and meet residency requirements. Campos served two years of formal probation and remains compliant with Megan’s Law registration obligations. Fresno County Clerk James Kus confirmed the absence of statutory disqualification. This glaring gap in California law prioritizes technical eligibility over common-sense fitness for positions involving children and families.
Several Fresno city leaders spoke out Thursday at City Hall over the candidacy of Rene Campos, a registered sex offender running for Fresno City Council District 7.
FULL STORY: https://t.co/TzhzYta83s pic.twitter.com/xjkYM0lYcy— FOX26 News (@KMPHFOX26) February 27, 2026
Council Members Unite Against Dangerous Candidacy
Multiple Fresno city officials publicly opposed Campos’ candidacy in February 2026, with Council President Mike Karbassi declaring he would not permit Campos to be seated. Councilmember Annalisa Perea announced she is working with colleagues on legislation to block registered sex offenders from running for local office. Councilman Miguel Arias expressed concerns about children visiting City Hall, while outgoing Councilman Nelson Esparza stated that regardless of rehabilitation, Campos “needs to find a different line of work.” Mayor Jerry Dyer endorsed opposing candidate Nav Gurm. These officials recognize what Sacramento lawmakers apparently missed: protecting children matters more than abstract rehabilitation rhetoric.
Position Incompatible With Sex Offender Restrictions
District 7 council responsibilities directly conflict with legal restrictions on registered sex offenders. Council members regularly participate in school initiatives, attend campus events, and host children at City Hall for tours and meetings. Opposing candidate Nav Gurm highlighted this practical problem, asking how anyone unable to visit school sites could effectively represent constituents. Councilmember Perea emphasized that effective council service requires at minimum the ability to access school campuses. Campos’ legal restrictions would create an unprecedented situation where an elected official cannot fulfill basic constituent service duties, particularly in a district covering Old Fig Garden, East Central Fresno, and Southeast Fresno neighborhoods with numerous schools and youth programs.
Rehabilitation Rhetoric Ignores Community Safety
Campos frames his candidacy as proof of rehabilitation, claiming Fresno deserves leaders “honest from the very beginning” and questioning how much proving is required before society accepts rehabilitation. Robin Vander Wall, board chair of the National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws, argues that individuals completing their sentences deserve full constitutional rights including running for office. This perspective ignores the legitimate distinction between civil rights restoration and suitability for positions requiring public trust around vulnerable populations. Completing probation does not erase the judgment concerns inherent in possessing child sexual abuse material, nor does it qualify someone for leadership over policies affecting children and families. The primary election is scheduled for June 2026, with the filing deadline set for March 6.
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Fresno city council candidate sparks controversy over sex offender status – KMPH