Fresno city council replaces councilman going on naval reserve duty in May - with him still running for re-election in June

Fresno’s city council this week named a temporary replacement for councilman Larry Westerlund as he prepares to start Naval Reserve duty in May, including Iraq service. The Fresno Bee said the council’s 5-2 vote to appoint lawyer Paul Caprioglio displeased Westerlund since his replacement choice was a retired community college professor who was voted down 4-3.

Westerlund's temporary duty as a lieutenant commander runs from May through at least early next year and he is up for re-election in June. He is being challenged for his city council seat by Susan Good, the director of Democratic State Sen. Dean Florez's Central Valley district staff. But a Westerlund victory over Good would require this summer's new Fresno city council to, again, choose a temporary Westerlund replacement.

Good made clear her unhappiness at the council's replacement plans in a news report last month on Fresno's NBC affiliate. The incumbent Westerlund's friends and family will keep the political home fires burning and campaign for him.