Singh takes 16-vote lead in updated Fresno council race count

The Fresno City Council District 1 race shifted as updated ballot counts put Central Unified Trustee Naindeep Singh 16 votes ahead of State Center Community College District Trustee Rob Fuentes, with Singh at 50.09%. Fuentes had led in the initial count, which included 18.32% of ballots, underscoring how close the contest remains; the county reported 10,068 votes cast and 958 undervotes. The winner will succeed Annalisa Perea, who is running for the State Assembly and leads in that race. The contest was marked by sharp campaigning and controversy, including Singh’s arrest on suspicion of drug-related DUI shortly before Election Day; tests found no drugs or alcohol, and Fresno’s police chief apologized. County officials said another results update was not expected until Thursday, with certification targeted for around Thanksgiving.