Sorority Hosted Candidate Forum in Fresno

The San Joaquin Valley Alumnae Chapter held its inaugural political forum at Franklin Head Start.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Elections

Sorority Hosted Candidate Forum in Fresno

Live Poll

Do you trust local candidates who choose not to attend community-organized public candidate forums?

The San Joaquin Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority held its first candidate forum in southeast Fresno on September 30, 2026. The event featured a moderated session where school board candidates responded to 10 questions.

Why it matters

The sorority organized this forum to fulfill its organizational mission of social action and political involvement. The event provided a platform for local candidates to engage with the public, despite conflicts regarding invitation status for some participants.

The forum included 10 questions for school board candidates. Disputed contract figures for school resource officers, which involve 26 officers, include a shift from $2 million to $5.7 million.

The players

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

This is a historic international sorority that maintains a focus on social action and political engagement.

Anthony Bailey

He served as the moderator for the school board portion of the sorority candidate forum.

The details

Candidates Deshunna Ricks, Daren Miller, Rizpah Bellard, and Keshia Thomas attended the event moderated by Anthony Bailey at Franklin Head Start. Candidates Miguel Arias, Michelle Longoria, and Joaquin Arambula did not attend, citing that they never received invitations, though organizers maintained that all candidates were sent information.

September 30, 2026: The sorority held the candidate forum.

Political Context

This local forum follows the long tradition of community-led voter education efforts that have been central to the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Opposition to such community-led events often arises from concerns over non-partisan neutrality and the perceived fairness of candidate selection processes.

Local voters can gain insights into candidate stances on school board policy, including significant budget discussions like the $5.7 million school resource officer contract. This forum allows residents to directly observe how candidates for local office address specific community concerns before the upcoming election.

The takeaway

Engaging with local candidate forums is an effective way for residents to evaluate leadership priorities regarding public budget allocations. Voters should verify candidate attendance to ensure they have access to the full spectrum of views represented in their district.