FRESNO (KMJ) – A candidate for Fresno mayor is crying foul over a county proposal to force political candidates to take unpaid leave.
Andrew Janz says he may take legal action if the Fresno County Board of Supervisors adopts a rule change that would amend Fresno County’s policies for employee leave while that employee is running for office.
Janz makes his living as a Fresno County prosecutor with the DA’s office.
Janz sent out a press release threatening legal action against the county if the rules are adopted. Saying “my wife is pregnant with our first child and losing our healthcare would be devastating and dangerous.”
But County Supervisor Nathan Magsig says it’s not personal. Instead it’s about good government.
“The policy doesn’t mention anyone, it applies to everyone, and again the goal of the policy is to give more flexibility to employees when they do want to run for office,” Magsig said.
Magsig adds that the policy was first discussed almost a year ago, well before Janz came out as a mayoral candidate.
“The board assigned myself and Buddy Mendes to a steering committee to work with staff to come up a policy that was workable for the taxpayers and workable for taxpayers at the county ,” Magsig said.
