Jasper leading Villegas early in District 6 Madera City Council race

Madera City Council candidate John Jasper has a tight lead of just 25 votes as he seeks to unseat the incumbent, Artemio Villegas, who is seeking a second term. The early results are from a count of mail-in votes.

As of 8:15 p.m., Jasper had 392 votes, or 51.65%, while Villegas had 367 votes, or 48.35% of mail-in votes.

"We're strong," Jasper told The Fresno Bee on Tuesday night. "We have faith that the people will put the right person in District 6. We're confident that we made all the right moves."

Villegas said that it's too early to tell what will happen. He said he is waiting until tomorrow to check on the final results of the race.

"There is a lot left to be counted," he said. "You never know until the final results."

Villegas is a retired farmworker who was elected to the Madera City Council in District 6 in 2020. He campaigned on the relate-ability of his working class background and on transportation assistance to the farmworkers who live in Madera. Villegas also pointed to traffic safety projects that are now slated for construction near schools in the district, where children walk, as well as public park improvements that have been completed.

For Jasper, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement officer, the race for the District 6 seat is his first for public office. He campaigned on giving the city's police officers better retention incentives. He also noted his experience as a local SEIU union leader, saying that it will help him find the best outcomes for the city's public safety workforce. Jasper is concerned that irresponsible development could put a strain on the city's resources.

Residential developments are looming in the city of Madera's District 6 — the southeastern part of town.