HANFORD VOTERS RECEIVE ANTI-FRANCISCO RAMIREZ TEXT MESSAGES: WHY IS A POLITICAL COMMITTEE LINKED TO VICTOR CHAVARIN JR. SUPPORTING LOU MARTINEZ?

Political Text Blasts, Measure H Oversight, and Questions About Who Is Influencing Hanford’s City Council Elections

By Francisco Ramirez Jr. | Former Mayor of Hanford | Candidate for City Council District D

HANFORD, CA | October 29, 2026

How far are certain political interests willing to go to keep me out of City Hall?

Yesterday, October 28, I received multiple phone calls and screenshots from concerned Hanford residents regarding political text messages attacking my candidacy for City Council District D and encouraging voters to write in Lou Martinez.

One message stated:

“Say NO to Francisco Ramirez and WRITE IN LOU MARTINEZ on your ballot!”

Another claimed I was willing to ignore the Measure H expenditure plan, a characterization of my position that I strongly dispute.

But here’s what concerns me most.

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The messages identify the organization paying for them as “Citizens, Firefighters and Police Officers for a Safer Hanford, Yes on Measure H.”

According to the committee’s 2024 California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 410, Victor Chavarin Jr. was listed as a principal officer of this political committee.

Victor is currently running for Hanford City Council District E, while I’m running in District D.

We’re not even running against each other.

So my question is simple.

Why is a political committee previously associated with Victor now being identified as financing attacks against me in a completely different district?

Victor Chavarin Jr. and the Measure H Connection

Here’s where this situation becomes even more concerning.

Victor currently serves as vice chair of Hanford’s Measure H Oversight Board, according to the city’s official website.

That board reviews financial audits and makes recommendations regarding Measure H expenditures.

Victor also currently works as a field representative for California State Senator Melissa Hurtado.

Think about those overlapping roles.

A person previously identified as a principal officer of a committee supporting Measure H now serves as vice chair of the board overseeing the same measure. Meanwhile, that committee is identified as paying for political messages attacking my candidacy over Measure H.

Who’s watching the watchdog?

Does this automatically establish an illegal conflict of interest? No.

But does it raise legitimate questions about political influence, transparency, and the independence of public oversight?

Absolutely.

And I believe Hanford residents deserve answers.

The 2024 filing establishes Victor’s previous committee position, but it does not establish whether he currently controls the committee or personally authorized these messages.

That’s exactly what needs to be examined.

If This Is Happening to Me, What’s Happening to His Opponent?

Here’s something else residents should know.

I’ve also been made aware of political text messages reportedly targeting Victor’s opponent in District E.

Think about that.

Victor is running in District E. I’m running in District D.

Yet political messages are reportedly targeting candidates in both races, and the committee previously associated with Victor is identified as paying for the messages against me.

If this is what’s happening to me in a district where Victor isn’t even running, imagine the questions it raises about what’s happening in his own election.

Are these independent political efforts, or is there coordination behind the scenes?

Who’s authorizing these messages?

And who’s paying for them?

I have not established whether Victor personally authorized either campaign or whether the same committee financed the District E messages.

But I believe the public deserves to know.

I haven’t attacked Victor. I’ve focused on my record, my qualifications, and the issues facing Hanford. So why is a committee previously associated with him now involved in attacking me?

To me, this raises concerns about whether certain political interests are attempting to influence multiple City Council elections.

Did the Police and Firefighters Authorize These Messages?

Yesterday, several residents contacted me asking questions.

“Frank, did the police authorize this?”

“Did the firefighters approve these messages?”

“Did Lou Martinez know about this?”

My answer is simple.

I don’t know, and I’m not going to pretend that I do.

The committee’s name includes firefighters and police officers, but that does not establish that the Hanford Police Department, Hanford Fire Department, or individual public safety personnel authorized or endorsed these messages.

I haven’t contacted Lou Martinez or the departments directly because I’m personally involved in this election and prefer to pursue the matter through the appropriate formal channels.

However, I believe residents have every right to know who is actually behind the political advertising.

Our public safety professionals deserve respect, and their names should not be confused with political endorsements that have not been verified.

A State Senator’s Field Representative and Questions of Accountability

Victor Chavarin Jr. currently works as a field representative for State Senator Melissa Hurtado.

I believe individuals who hold positions of public trust should demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.

If Victor is personally involved in directing these political attacks, is this the type of conduct residents should expect from someone who represents a state senator?

Imagine being an ordinary citizen who disagrees with someone holding political influence. Would you feel confident that your concerns would be treated fairly?

I want to make clear that I have no evidence Senator Hurtado or her office authorized, funded, or participated in these messages.

My concerns are about Victor’s potential involvement and the overlapping political and public responsibilities that deserve examination.

Public service should be about serving people, not using political influence to silence disagreement.

Is This About Measure H or Keeping Me Out of Office?

The messages accuse me of being willing to disregard the Measure H expenditure plan.

I reject that claim.

I’ve always believed in respecting voters while ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.

During my previous years on the Hanford City Council, I advocated for balanced budgets, financial reserves, and accountability.

I didn’t serve as mayor to rubber-stamp decisions, and I’m certainly not running again to start doing so.

I believe certain political interests would rather keep me out of City Hall than have someone asking difficult questions about spending, utility rates, and accountability.

That’s my opinion based on what I’ve experienced throughout this election.

But here’s what they need to understand.

You can attack me. You can disagree with me. But you will not intimidate me into silence.

I Have Contacted the FPPC

I have contacted the California Fair Political Practices Commission regarding these concerns and intend to submit a thorough complaint with the available committee filings, screenshots, and supporting documentation.

I want the FPPC to examine whether the committee complied with California’s campaign finance registration, reporting, and political advertising requirements.

I have also brought this matter to the attention of the Hanford City Clerk’s Office.

I believe the City should examine whether any applicable Measure H Oversight Board conflict-of-interest or ethics requirements are implicated.

If everything was handled legally, let the records establish that. If violations occurred, let the appropriate authorities address them.

I’m not asking anyone to assume wrongdoing.

I’m asking for accountability.

Hanford, It’s Time to Ask Questions

I want the residents of Hanford to consider something.

Why is a committee originally established to support Measure H now identified as financing political messages against a City Council candidate?

Who currently controls that committee?

Did Lou Martinez authorize or coordinate with the organization?

Did any police officers or firefighters actually approve these messages?

And what role, if any, does Victor Chavarin Jr. currently play in the committee’s political activities?

These are serious questions, and the public deserves serious answers.

I’ve served Hanford before, and I’m running again because I believe our residents deserve leadership that isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

I will continue fighting against unnecessary rate increases, demanding financial transparency, and standing up for the people who feel their voices have been ignored.

If certain political interests believe a text-message campaign is going to keep me out of office, they have underestimated my determination to represent this community.

This election should be about solutions, qualifications, and the future of Hanford, not political attacks and unanswered questions about who’s financing them.

The right choice gives you a voice.

Results over politics. Simple as that.

Francisco Ramirez Jr.
Former Mayor of Hanford
Candidate for Hanford City Council District D

Editor’s disclosure: This is a first-person opinion article by a candidate directly affected by the political advertising discussed. The 2024 FPPC filing identifies Victor Chavarin Jr. as a principal officer of the Measure H committee. His current control of the committee, involvement in authorizing the messages, and any connection between the District D and District E text campaigns have not been independently established. No campaign finance violation has been determined.