Business leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders gathered at Pardini’s on June 17 as the Fresno Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee celebrated a successful election cycle and raised support for future advocacy efforts.

The annual fundraiser highlighted the PAC’s role in supporting candidates and policies aligned with the Chamber’s mission of promoting economic growth, job creation and a strong business climate throughout Fresno County.

“Elections have consequences,” said Precision Civil Engineering President and CEO Ed Dunkel Jr. “If we don’t have business-friendly people in different positions, it will kill economic development in the City of Fresno. This is critical for us.”

Presenting sponsors Chevron and Caglia Environmental joined a broad coalition of businesses and community partners in supporting the event, which served as both a celebration of recent successes and a reminder of the continuing importance of civic engagement.

“An event like this is supported by very civically engaged businesses,” said Fresno Chamber of Commerce CEO Scott Miller. “It is particularly important in local politics to elect people who care about business.”

Miller took a moment to thank Chevron, Caglia Environmental, the Fresno Association of Realtors, PG&E, the Spencer Family, Bottom Line Construction, K & E Electric, Vista Consulting, and Precision Engineering for sponsoring the event.

Much of the evening’s discussion centered on the PAC’s performance during the most recent election cycle, in which numerous Chamber-endorsed candidates either won outright or advanced in some of Fresno County’s most closely watched races.

Among the PAC’s most notable victories was the election of former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. Mims secured nearly 65 percent of the vote in the District 4 race, avoiding a runoff and winning the seat outright.

“The Chamber is a very well-respected organization, and it was an honor to receive their endorsement,” Mims said, adding that her job on the Board of Supervisors will be to create an atmosphere where businesses can come to the area and be successful and supply much-needed jobs.

“The Chamber is all in for that,” she said.

Miller also pointed to strong showings by Fresno City Council candidates Rob Fuentes and Nav Gurm, both of whom advanced to runoff elections in competitive contests.

“Get to know these people,” Miller said. “These are very important races.”

Gurm said he was grateful for the Chamber endorsement.

“This campaign was all about building a coalition that was reflective of Fresno’s diversity, and the business community is vital to that,” Gurm said. “I want to be a councilmember that pushes for a stronger economy that helps create jobs.”

In education races, Chamber-backed candidate Michelle Cantwell-Copher advanced in the race for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, while several endorsed legislative candidates also performed well. Nathan Magsig won his race for State Senate District 12, while Annalisa Perea advanced in the race to succeed outgoing Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula in Assembly District 31.

The PAC also celebrated the successes of several judicial candidates, including Jeffrey Hammerschmidt and Ashely Paulson, both of whom attended the event.

Miller emphasized that the PAC’s mission extends beyond supporting candidates. The organization also advocates for policies intended to strengthen Fresno County’s economy and improve the region’s competitiveness.

“It’s so important for us as businesses to support the people who are supporting us,” he said.

For more updates on Fresno County development and business initiatives, stay connected with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.