Candidates collect big endorsements in race for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The contention for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools is gaining momentum arsenic salient section leaders publically state their endorsements.

Dr. Eimear O'Brien, a erstwhile Clovis Unified superintendent, hosted a run lawsuit Wednesday arsenic she seeks to pb the region bureau overseeing 32 schoolhouse districts, including Fresno Unified, the state's third-largest district.

O'Brien came retired of an 18-month status earlier this twelvemonth to service arsenic interim superintendent of Central Unified. She antecedently led Clovis Unified from 2017 to 2023 and spent decades successful education.

Several notable figures attended her event, including erstwhile region superintendents Jim Yovino and Larry Powell.

"I deliberation it says a batch erstwhile 2 erstwhile superintendents enactment a candidate," Powell said. "We cognize her. We've seen her operate. We've seen however she's worked with tiny districts."

O'Brien highlighted those relationships arsenic a cornerstone of her campaign.

"I've ever enjoyed a precise affirmative narration with each of these elected officials," she said. "We've worked unneurotic connected galore projects. We've stayed connected erstwhile we request to lick problems together."

Yovino's endorsement of O'Brien is drafting attraction due to the fact that helium supported incumbent Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher successful 2022. Cantwell-Copher responded to the displacement Wednesday.

"It is precise funny that for 25 years, Jim Yovino and I had a bully moving relationship, and successful fact, I supported him done each of his years of leadership," Cantwell-Copher said. "In the past 3 years, that's decidedly changed with respect to his enactment of me, and I americium arsenic funny arsenic the nationalist is."

Cantwell-Copher, who has served arsenic region superintendent since 2022, has secured endorsements from Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni and Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her. She emphasized her acquisition and continuity successful the role.

"I americium your incumbent, and I person formed the vision," she said. "I've been doing the occupation precise successfully for the past 3 years. I person respectfully engaged folks, and we person a precise beardown consciousness of precisely what our schools request and our students need."

O'Brien and Cantwell-Copher volition look disconnected successful the June 2026 superior election.

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