Candidates for local and regional offices picked up endorsements from high-profile officials last week. Richard Valle, candidate for the Kings County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat, has received an endorsement from Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, his boss, while Hanford City Council incumbent Dan Chin gained the support of Kings County District Attorney Ron Calhoun.

Valle, Hanford district office manager for the Democratic legislator, has also picked up endorsements from the county deputy sheriff's association, deputy district attorney's association and firefighters association last week. He is running against Corcoran businessman Terry Kwast for the seat.

Chin, a two-term incumbent facing challenges from two other candidates this November, was endorsed on Wednesday by Calhoun, who said Chin have the "experience and initiative to get the job done."

On Friday Sen. Diane Feinstein announced her endorsement of Fran Florez, Shafter Mayor Pro Tem who is a democratic candidate for the 30th Assembly District seat.

Her Republican opponent Danny Gilmore, a retired highway patrolman, also has a high-profile endorsement by outgoing Assemblywoman Parra, who crossed party lines to support the Republican candidate.

(Oct. 13, 2008)