Kings County moves to put Avenal’s four recalled seats on the November ballot
Kings County is putting the four Avenal City Council recalled seats on the ballot for the November general election amid legal battle between the city, the county and recall organizers.
During a special meeting Friday morning, the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution and directed the county registrar of voters, Lupe Villa, to place all four seats on the Nov. 3 ballot, open the candidate nomination period for those seats and administer the election. In April, Avenal voters recalled Mayor Alvaro Preciado and Councilmembers Leticia Gamez, Pablo Hernandez and David Reynosa.
“When a city council does not call an election, the vacancies shall be filled at the next regular established election date,” Villa said. Villa said the four seats became vacant with the certification of the recall in May.
Last month, the recalled council members adopted a resolution calling for an election for only the two seats with terms expiring in November.
Villa said adoption of the resolution ensures all four seats are placed on the ballot in time for the candidate nomination period, which starts July 13.
The city has claims the recall process was illegal. Several legal disputes between those involved are waiting in court, including a quo warranto proceeding.
“When you see a recall election take place, and elected officials unwilling refuse to flat out leave those seats, that’s not American, that is anti-American,” said county Supervisor Richard Valle, whose district includes Avenal.
Valley criticized state officials in Sacramento for not stepping in to remove the recalled officials and putting the county “in the position that we are in today.”
“This is uncharted territory. No one wants to deal with it,” Valle said.
Earlier this week, Avenal residents asked the county supervisors for help with the recall crisis to restore a functioning city government.
The county’s involvement in the legal dispute includes the certification of the recall election process and the filing of a joint quo warranto application last month, which was approved by California Attorney General Rob Bonta on June 17. It cleared the path to file a lawsuit against Preciado, Gamez, Hernandez and Reynosa.
According to the county’s legal counsel Laurie Avedisian-Favini, the county lacks authority to appoint members directly to Avenal’s City Council. The recall election had a turnout of 30% of the city’s 2,346 registered voters and had more than 73% voter approval.
The recalled officials have refused to step down despite recall certification on May 28, leading to an ongoing legal battle between the city, recall organizers and Kings County.
Avedisian-Favini said the Secretary of State’s office confirms that if officials are voted out, they cannot run again in a regular or special election to fill vacancies created by a recall.
Supervisor Doug Verboon said the recalled council members “forgot who they work for and have put us in this position here to have to stand up and protect the rights of the citizens of Avenal.”
The only official not recalled is Councilmember Ricardo Verdugo. Verdugo held a special meeting Thursday at Avenal Elementary School as the sole legal council member representing the city. He appointed himself mayor.
Recall supporter Ginger Wallis said the resolution allows Avenal to move on as a community and rebuild.
“The public should not suffer because of an institutional deadlock. The circumstances before us are extraordinary,” said recall supporter Delila Barajas. Barajas said she plans to run for one of the recalled seats.
Earlier this month the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office executed seven search warrants at locations including Avenal City Hall, the community center and the homes of the four recalled council members and City Manager Antony Lopez. Authorities declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation to avoid jeopardizing the case.
This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Kings County moves to put Avenal’s four recalled seats on the November ballot."
