Bob Waterston may seek re-election to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors after all.
On Thursday, he pulled papers at the Fresno County Elections Office that can be turned back in with voter signatures to avoid paying a filing fee.
Waterston’s move is considered a tentative first step in seeking office, but it is not definitive.
“This is in the initial phase of of the process,” said Fresno County Clerk Victor Salazar. “It doesn’t complete or qualify any candidate. It initiates the process.”
Waterston acknowledged pulling the papers, but was coy on any final decision about changing his mind and seeking to retain his District 5 supervisorial seat.
“I should know more this weekend,” he said in a brief interview.
Last September, Waterston announced he wouldn’t seek re-election to his seat, which oversees a district that covers much of Clovis, east Fresno and the county’s foothills and mountain areas.
Since then, he has sent mixed signals about that decision.
When Waterston announced his decision, it left the race to two challengers — Clovis City Council Member Nathan Magsig and longtime political activist Debbie Poochigian.
There’s still plenty of time for Waterston to make a final decision. The official filing period does not open until Feb. 11.
--John Ellis