Fresno County judicial campaign most expensive ever

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An unusual campaign is deciding the next Fresno County superior court judge.

Lisa Gamoian and Rachel Hill are preparing closing arguments unlike any the experienced attorneys have ever made. And with less than three weeks left in their race for judge, the money they're spending is the most in the history of Fresno County judicial elections.

"It's not the kind of thing you usually see, but often these races aren't really hotly contested to begin with," said Fresno State political science professor Dr. Kenneth Hansen.

Hill has raised a total of $367,974; Gamoian $327,938, although she's gained ground over the last three months. In the last contested judicial race four years ago, James Petrucelli and Gary Shinaver combined to raise only about $117,000. You've probably seen the return on a good chunk of Hill and Gamoian's recent spending.

"One candidate has the overwhelming support of law enforcement," said a TV commercial for Gamoian.

"She's more than tough on crime," said a Hill TV commercial. "She's smart on crime."

Campaign consultants say the candidates need to spend to reach 400,000 Fresno County voters.

"That isn't cheap," said Gamoian consultant Tim Orman. "It's expensive. It costs a lot for mail, costs a lot for radio. It costs even more for television so we can pay your salary."

Developers are the leading donors to both campaigns, but Hill has almost twice as many individual donations. Attorneys and judges fill her list of donors.

"I think the seat is extremely important this year because of larger issues like the revolving door at the jails and other things like that," said Hill consultant Julie Griffiths.

Law enforcement is strongly behind Gamoian and with turnout expected to be low, Dr. Hansen says that could work to her advantage. But the real key, he says, will be the ground game.

"In a lot of ways it'll come down to organization as opposed to the issues and also what always seems to matter in local races especially is personality," he said.

The verdict will be read in 19 days.