Candidates seeking the District 5 seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors are building up their endorsement lists. But neither has received the official nod of approval from the man whose job they are trying to take.

Supervisor Bob Waterston says he's not sure if he will lend his support to either candidate -- Clovis City Council Member Nathan Magsig or community activist and businesswoman Debbie Poochigian.

"I don’t know if I’m going to get involved in the race or not – it’s still up in the air," Waterston said this week.

Magsig has been the only one to solicit his help, Waterston said. Poochigian, he said, called and left a message several months ago, but the two haven't talked since.

Waterston, who said he's not favoring either candidate, had critical words about Poochigian's candidacy. He said he's not sure she has the experience to help the county with it's financial troubles.

Said Waterston: "I know Nathan has experience with politics. I think he can hit the ground running – and she’s got a bigger learning curve."

Both Poochigian and Magsig said they would accept Waterston's endorsement even though he has been dogged by conflict-of-interest questions. Last year, Waterston resigned from the Local Agency Formation Commission after The Bee reported that he voted in favor of six annexations that benefited a developer with whom he had a business relationship.

Other stories explored Waterston's purchase of a luxury car at an apparent discount from a local tribal official, his use of a shortcut given by county planning officials that allowed him to build a second house behind his own, and his use of a Sheriff's Department gun.

Waterston, who also owns a pool construction business, has consistently denied any conflicts of interests.