The political drama unfolding in a storied California oil town took another captivating twist on Friday. County leaders made the pivotal decision to put four contested City Council seats back on the ballot, a sharp pivot only a day after the sole councilmember who survived a recall proclaimed himself as the mayor.
The Kings County Board of Supervisors reached a unanimous decision to pass a resolution that places the four Avenal City Council seats up for election this November. Their aim is to restore proper representation after months of unrest following the city’s tumultuous recall conflict.
This resolution comes in the wake of an extraordinary deadlock in Avenal, a Central California city home to around 13,000 people, located some 60 miles southwest of Fresno. As recently as April, four council members, whom the voters had decisively chosen to recall, have persisted in staying in their positions.
Avenal is renowned for its rapid expansion in the 1930s, sparked by the discovery of oil in the region. By 1940, the city boasted some of the finest schools and public services in California, marking its place in the state’s rich history.
Supervisor Richard Valle, who introduced the measure, expressed confidence that the special election would fulfill the electorate’s desire for representation. His comments, reported by ABC30, underline the importance of this electoral rerun in resolving the city’s political deadlock.
‘It is my great honor and my privilege to make this motion today to put the four seats on the ballot and bring back and restore justice, freedom, and democracy to the city of Avenal,’ Valle said.
Under California Elections Code Section 11381, recalled officials are barred from running in the special election, according to Kings County Counsel Laurie Buelna, who said the county confirmed the interpretation with the California Secretary of State’s office.
The vote came just one day after Councilmember Ricardo Verdugo, the only member of the council who survived the recall election, appointed himself mayor – further deepening the city’s leadership crisis.
For now, Verdugo will continue serving in the self-appointed role until the November election, although city attorneys are expected to challenge the move.
Residents have pleaded with supervisors to end the months of political fighting that have consumed the city.
Board Chairman Doug Verboon said supervisors were acting on behalf of residents frustrated by the ongoing dispute.
‘We do not work for the government; we work for the people, and I believe the four individuals forgot who they work for,’ Verboon said.
The latest showdown comes after a months-long legal and political battle that erupted when voters overwhelmingly approved the recall of Mayor Alvaro Preciado and councilmembers Leticia Gamez, Pablo Hernandez and David Reynosa, with each measure receiving more than 76% of the vote.
Instead of stepping down after the results were certified, the recalled officials voted to reject the election results and remain in office, arguing Kings County lacked the authority to administer the recall because the city never formally authorized it.
The dispute has since triggered courtroom battles, heated public meetings and sweeping law-enforcement raids targeting City Hall, a community center and several homes linked to the city’s leadership as investigators continue their probe.