Catalano filed papers on Thursday at the elections office in Downtown Fresno.
Catalano currently runs a public relations and marketing firm. He says he is running for office because he feels participating in local government is the best way he can serve the community.
"From being a business owner who has really helped area businesses and non-profits actually achieve their desired outcome," said Catalano. "I've worked a lot to address homelessness in our community through Fresno First Steps Home. Educational attainment for the 69,000 residents in the city of Fresno that have dropped out of high school. We created Learn to Earn, which is an educational pathway for people to go back to school."
Five other candidates are running for the District 1 seat. They include business owner Mark Castro, Esmeralda Soria, a law professor, Rebeca Rangel, a mental health professional, businessman Rama Dawar, and Jackson Shephard, who describes himself as a student and single father.
The state primary election will be held on June 3.
