Survey asks about candidate’s age, religion, turban in Fresno race. Called out as ‘racist’

Are Nav Gurm’s age and heritage issues in a Fresno City Council race? A recent survey wants to know.

Voters in District 7 — east-central Fresno — received a Survey Monkey poll in the first week of September, conducted by Political Opinion Research. Among the 18 questions asked, the survey wanted to know “does a candidate’s religious background or traditional cultural attire, such as a turban, affect your willingness to vote for that candidate?”

It also asks “would a candidate being 26 years old make you more likely or less likely to support them?”

Gurm, 26, an attorney, is the only candidate fitting those descriptions. He is running against community advocate Ariana Martinez Lott, 39, for the open District 7 seat. They are former City Hall staffers.

Current District 7 Councilmember Nelson Esparza is terming out.

Both candidates told The Fresno Bee separately that the survey did not come from them. The candidates each condemned the survey question, calling it racist.

Gurm would be the first Fresno councilmember of Sikh heritage. Another Sikh candidate, Naindeep Singh, is running in District 1. The candidates each wear turbans, which traditionally represent a Sikh’s commitment to their faith.

Candidates reject survey premise

It is unclear who commissioned the survey.

A phone number for Political Opinion Research included at the end of the survey only gives an option to opt out of future surveys. An email for a website with the Political Opinion Research name — saying it is based in Michigan — bounced back.

“I stand strongly against any prejudice or racism towards any candidates. A person’s religion or ethnicity shouldn’t be used as a smear tactic in any campaign,” Martinez Lott said. “I am focused on issues that affect the people of District 7 and the city of Fresno. As City Hall seeks to propose additional taxes and pass SEDA, I am in this race to ensure transparency and accountability with our hard-earned dollars. I will remain committed and give it my all to the finish line. “

Gurm said voters are “tired of distractions,” calling out the survey’s “anti-Sikh bigotry”

“It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that someone decided to test my faith and my age as reasons not to vote for me. Voters should judge me on my ability to fix our roads and sidewalks, make it easier to open a small business in Fresno, and create safer neighborhoods through watch programs, not on my age or the fact that I am a proud Sikh American who wears a turban. But if that’s all they have, bring it on,” Gurm said.