Officials at a Fresno elementary school filed a police report after a City Council candidate who is a registered sex offender held a news conference across the street from the campus during weekday afternoon hours, raising questions about public safety and who is legally allowed to run for and serve in public office in California.
Rene Campos, 41, a candidate in Fresno’s District 7 City Council race, held the press conference Friday afternoon outside Saint John’s Cathedral in downtown Fresno, according to reporting by The Fresno Bee. The church sits directly across the street from Big Picture Educational Academy, a public charter school serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
School leaders said students were present on campus at the time and called Campos’ decision to hold the event near the school “deeply troubling.”
School leaders say students were on campus
In a joint statement reported by The Fresno Bee, Big Picture Educational Academy Executive Director Stephanie Hilton and Superintendent Diana Gonzalez said Campos’ actions showed a disregard for student safety.
“This was not only a potential violation of the legal restrictions placed upon him as a registered sex offender, but a profound breach of the trust and safety our school community depends on every single day,” the statement said.
Campos pleaded no contest in 2021 to a 2018 misdemeanor charge of possession of child pornography and served two years of formal probation. He is required to register as a sex offender.
Asked by reporters whether holding the event near a school violated the law, Campos said it would be illegal during school hours but claimed he believed the campus was closed at the time, according to The Fresno Bee.
“I would say, during operational hours, absolutely,” Campos said. “I believe they are closed right now. I don’t see anyone.”
The school’s website lists hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Hilton told The Fresno Bee the school also operates an expanded learning program until 6 p.m. and that students were actively participating during the news conference.
School officials said they filed a police report, notified local officials and directed legal counsel to issue a cease-and-desist notice to Campos.
Council members seek limits on sex offenders serving
The news conference came one day after several Fresno City Council members announced plans to pursue legislation that would limit a registered sex offender’s ability to serve as a councilmember — a move not currently prohibited under state law.
Councilmembers Annalisa Perea, Miguel Arias, Nelson Esparza and Nick Richardson said they plan to introduce the proposal. Campos said the effort amounted to “institutional overreach” and that he felt personally targeted, according to The Fresno Bee.
Perea said she was “deeply troubled” by Campos’ decision to hold the event near an active elementary school.
“When someone seeking office demonstrates the opposite of sound judgment and respect for the law, we have a duty to speak out,” she said in a statement reported by the newspaper.
Campos said he chose the cathedral because it symbolizes rehabilitation and forgiveness. The Diocese of Fresno and St. John’s Cathedral said they were not notified in advance and criticized Campos’ decision, saying he used the church and school as “props in his theater of politics,” according to The Fresno Bee.
Can people convicted of misdemeanors run for public office in California?
Under California law, most misdemeanor convictions do not bar someone from running for or serving in public office.
Once a person has completed their sentence and is eligible to register to vote, they are generally eligible to run for local office, including city council, provided they meet residency and filing requirements.
Felony convictions can temporarily restrict voting and candidacy rights, particularly while a person is incarcerated or on parole. Misdemeanor convictions, however, typically do not carry the same automatic disqualifications.
Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters James Kus previously said that once someone is eligible to vote again, they may also be eligible to run for office under state law.
Can registered sex offenders hold elected office?
California law does not currently prohibit registered sex offenders from running for or serving in elected office, including city councils.
While registered sex offenders face strict limitations on where they can live, work or travel — particularly near schools and places where children gather — those restrictions are separate from eligibility for office.
Campos’ candidacy has highlighted the tension between those two legal frameworks: while state election law allows him to run, other laws regulate his physical proximity to schools and children.
Opponents argue that those restrictions would limit his ability to effectively serve constituents, while supporters say eligibility for office should not be determined by past convictions alone.
Candidate cites rehabilitation as campaign theme
Campos has been open about his past as he seeks to enter the District 7 race, which includes Old Fig Garden, East Central Fresno and parts of Southeast Fresno.
“You are not your past,” Campos told KFSN/ABC30, saying his experience with the justice system informs his views on public safety and reform.
Candidates have until March 6 to qualify for the June primary election.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California school files police report after sex offender, city hall candidate, holds event near campus
Reporting by James Ward, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
