Jewel Hurtado

Kingsburg City Councilmember Jewel Hurtado announced on Twitter Wednesday that she will not seek to serve a second term.

Hurtado, 23, was elected to represent District 1 in the November 2018 election, one of the youngest female council members to serve in the position in Kingsburg’s history.

“After much consideration, I have decided not to seek a second term on the Kingsburg City Council. It has been a great privilege to represent District 1 or the past for years and I am proud of the work we have put in,” Hurtado stated on Twitter. “I am looking forward to having more time to pour into my family and have no plans on leaving my role of service.”

❤️ pic.twitter.com/LLgd9JG0kg

— Jewel Hurtado (@jewelhurtado_) August 17, 2022

Hurtado was recognized as a trailblazer — a young, Latina, single mother elected to public office — even getting a video shoutout from U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But her public service was also met with criticism and controversy.

In May 2021, the Kingsburg City Council rejected a proposal from Hurtado to proclaim June as Pride Month for the city, stirring controversy in the community. A few days later, a recall effort began with a petition, but it failed to get enough signatures to go to vote.

In July of 2021, The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Hurtado for driving under the influence. In a statement, Hurtado said she pledged to donate her monthly city stipend for the remainder of her term to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

In October 2021 she entered a not guilty plea to two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence.

Hurtado thanked friends, family, neighbors and constituents for their support.