There are just 10 days remaining before the Nov. 3 general election – and the mud is starting to fly in a handful of local races.

A campaign mailer sent out by incumbent Mayor Amy Bublak has generated a hint of controversy in Turlock’s mayoral race – a race that has been free of public acrimony thus far.

Additionally, mailers sent out by Turlock City Council District 3 challenger Ryan Taylor, and District 4 state senate candidate Alexandra Duarte, a Republican, landed below the belt.

The Bublak mailer features a picture of Stanislaus County District 2 Supervisor Vito Chiesa and a quote from his introductory remarks at the State of the City presentation on Aug. 27: “It is obvious that the city council has made roads a priority … there is no other community in our county that is doing more road work right now than Turlock.”

While Chiesa is quoted accurately, the flyer gives the veiled impression that Chiesa has endorsed Bublak over her challengers – retired health care professional Jim Reape, and private investigator Kelley Coelho.

Chiesa made his position clear Thursday night.

“I am not endorsing either candidate,” Chiesa said, who did confirm that he has endorsed councilmembers Kevin Bixel (District 1) and Cassandra Abram (District 3) in their reelection efforts.

Chiesa said his remarks that were quoted on Bublak’s mailer was “public comment made in a public space” about a Turlock issue and any candidate was free to use them.

“I really liked Vito’s comments at the State of the City speech. We asked him if we could use his comments in a mailer and he said yes,” said Bublak about the mailer.

“Using Supervisor Chiesa’s photograph and a quote in a campaign mailer, while creating the impression that he has endorsed Amy Bublak when he has not, raises serious questions about the integrity of her campaign,” said Reape in a statement released Friday. “An accurate quote does not make a misleading implication acceptable. Voters deserve straightforward, honest communication from those seeking public office. Integrity isn’t just about what you say, it’s also about what you deliberately lead people to believe.”

Another point of contention is Bublak’s mention of Measure A, a three-quarter-cent increase of the city’s sales tax – from 7.875 to 8.625 percent – approved by voters in 2020. Bublak opposed the measure when it was on the ballot and has taken criticism for touting Measure A’s successes – most notably the funding of the roads program.

Coelho said she considers the mailer “political theater.”

“Just because a mailer was delivered to your mailbox, it’s going to sway you when you already know the truth,” Coelho said. “I think the community sees right through it. People are starting to pay attention. About 90 percent of the people that I’ve talked to are not very happy and are wanting change in this community. Whether it’s Jim or me, I’m confident there will be a new mayor come November.”

Using Chiesa to bolster Bublak’s reelection bid might seem a curious choice, since over the past couple of years the two have been on opposite sides of high-profile issues regarding the We Care men’s homeless shelter and the Las Palmas nursing care facility.

The Journal asked Stanislaus State political science professor if the Bublak mailer was a low blow or simply Politics 101?

“Is there a difference,” Colnic quipped. “I don’t think you have to be a professor of political science to see that this mailer plays fast and loose with the facts. There’s the insinuation that she was largely in favor of Measure A, and that’s a dubious claim. It doesn’t come right out and say it, but it comes right up to that line. And on the back, it doesn’t say that Chiesa endorsed her, but again, it comes right up to that line.

“The larger question is – and maybe this is where being a political science professor might help – is there a remedy for this? … Ultimately, it’ll be up to the voters.”

The Chiesa-backed Abram is referred to as a “radical councilwoman” who “wants to hike our taxes” in the Taylor campaign’s mailer that was delivered to District 3 mailboxes. Another mailer criticizes Abram’s “allies” for calling Charlie Kirk a fascist.

“Voters deserve to know the record of their councilwoman. Allowing homelessness in Turlock to grow, trying to raise taxes and staying silent while Stanislaus Democrats condemned Charlie Kirk as a ‘fascist’ in the wake of his death are exactly why we need change at city hall,” said Taylor about the flyers.

Abram responded to Taylor’s negative mailer campaign by saying she is focused on the issues important to Turlock.

“This is what candidates do when they’re desperate and have nothing to promote about themselves. These attacks show that Ryan Taylor is only capable of partisan rhetoric and lacks the maturity and judgement required for this role. In my time on Council, I have proven I’m not a radical political puppet, but I’m an unwavering advocate focused on the issues Turlock residents actually care about,” she said.

Duarte, seeking to replace state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson), sent out a mailer featuring a 2015 booking mugshot of Democratic opponent Jaron Brandon, who was arrested 11 years ago on suspicion of public intoxication when he was 23 years old. The charges were subsequently dropped, according to reporting by the Modesto Focus.

Above the booking photo of Brandon, in red, 100-point type is the world “WARNING” followed by “Jaron Brandon is running for Senate.”

It’s not the first time Duarte, a native of Australia, has delivered a below-the-belt punch this election cycle. During the primary, she sent out a mailer that was aimed – literally – at Alvarado-Gil. That mailer featured an image of Duarte firing a handgun at a tin-can target with Alvarado-Gil’s photo on the can.

“I think it’s a dirtier shot and more mud-slingy,” said Colnic, when asked how Duarte’s mailer compares to the Turlock mailers. “The Duarte campaign is going after something dirty and old.”

Duarte is the wife of former Congressman John Duarte, who lost his bid for reelection to Adam Gray after serving one term in Washington.