Fresno County District 5 Race

5/27/2008 Fresno, CA Nathan Magsig and Debbie Poochigian are trying to show voters they have some very obvious differences. Both spent time this Memorial Day walking, working to meet as many voters face to face.

Just blocks away from each other in one Clovis neighborhood, Debbie Poochigian and Nathan Magsig are hoping their footsteps and handshakes will earn your vote election day.

Flyers are flooding voters in District 5.

Now, both candidates are dumping money into TV ads.

It's been an expensive run for the supervisor's race that covers 3,000 square miles and cities that include Shaver Lake, Auberry, Prather and portions of Clovis and Fresno.

Poochigian estimates she'll bring in 700 thousand dollars... Magsig, 600 thousand.

Both say their differences are clear.

"I'm an outsider in this race. I'm not a politician. I have never ran for office before. My opponent has run for 4 offices, 5 times in the last 7 and a half years. So he's more of a career politician, which I am not," said Poochigian.

"For the last 6 years I've had to deal with budgeting and I've generated over 20 million dollars worth in real estate right here in the Fresno and Madera areas so I understand the challenges and can appreciate what it's like to sign both sides of a paycheck."

Magsig has slammed Poochigian for her close ties to Sacramento, her husband Chuck was a California senator for 8 years.

Few will contest name recognition has helped her, as for her state capitol ties, she says that's not a drawback.

"As a supervisor, you want someone that has good relationships in Sacramento. That can work with people, that can call and get as much as we can get our fair share for the valley and I'm proud of my relationships in Sacramento. I don't think it's a bad thing," said Poochigian.

"One of the things I try to do is let people know is that I am the local candidate. I am the one that has been working with Clovis schools. I am a graduate of Clovis schools, I am a former football coach of Clovis schools."

Both candidates claim they are the fiscal conservatives, so it will be up to voters to make the final call June 3rd.

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