Merced Councilmember Fue Xiong Draws Criticism for Post
A social media post by the councilmember regarding a local tax measure has sparked backlash from law enforcement and candidates.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Should local elected officials face formal reprimands for using offensive language against law enforcement?
Merced City Councilmember Fue Xiong is facing criticism after referring to police officers as pigs in an online post regarding Measure B. The measure is a proposed one-cent sales tax in the city that the Merced Police Officers Association has formally endorsed.
Why it matters
Measure B is expected to generate approximately $18 million annually to fund critical city services including police operations and youth gang prevention. The controversy complicates local election discourse, as the police union has also endorsed a candidate in the competitive District 6 race.
Measure B proposes a one-cent sales tax expected to generate $18 million annually, which the police department intends to use for expanding investigative capabilities.
The players
Fue Xiong
Fue Xiong is a Merced City Councilmember who is currently the subject of criticism following his online comments about police.
Merced Police Officers Association
The Merced Police Officers Association is the labor union representing local officers that has endorsed Measure B and candidate John Bliss.
John Bliss
John Bliss is a candidate running for the District 6 seat on the Merced City Council who has received the endorsement of the local police union.
Yader Zeledon
Yader Zeledon is a candidate currently running for the District 6 City Council seat in Merced.
The details
Fue Xiong published the comment in a version of a midterm election guide posted online, prompting a sharp response from the Merced Police Officers Association. The union president noted that they have been unable to open a dialogue with the councilmember, while election candidates John Bliss and Yader Zeledon have also addressed the remarks.
Timeline
October 2026: The controversy emerged regarding Measure B in the lead-up to the upcoming midterm election.
Political Context
The controversy highlights ongoing debates regarding the boundaries of acceptable political discourse for elected officials. It follows a historical pattern of tension regarding the protections of speech established in the 1943 West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette ruling.
Voters will decide the fate of Measure B, which directly impacts the city's ability to fund police departments and natural disaster response services. The outcome of the District 6 election will also determine the future composition of the city council.
The takeaway
Voters should review the specific funding allocations proposed under Measure B to understand how the potential $18 million in revenue would be utilized. Evaluating the candidates' positions on this tax is essential for residents determining the city's future service capabilities.
Further reading
Stay updated on local government proceedings by visiting the Merced City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KMPH.
Live Poll
Should local elected officials face formal reprimands for using offensive language against law enforcement?
