Bruce Giudici, a 68-year-old candidate for Calaveras County Supervisor, died unexpectedly on Sunday after a fall while campaigning. Giudici was canvassing for votes in Valley Springs when he decided to ascend a steep driveway, according to his campaign team.
After approximately ten minutes, campaign volunteers went to check on Giudici and discovered he had fallen. Emergency responders were en route. The resident of the home Giudici was visiting called 911 following the fall. Giudici was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries from a massive brain bleed.
Giudici was running to represent District 5 in Calaveras County. He had previously run for the seat and won the primary election in June, securing 1,061 votes, narrowly defeating his opponent Clyde Clapp by 38 votes. The incumbent, Benjamin Stopper, received 792 votes. Giudici and Clapp were scheduled to face each other in the November election.
Clapp described Giudici's death as a "tragic" event and stated his family would be keeping Giudici's loved ones in their prayers. He noted that he and Giudici had run against each other three times previously, and their campaigns had always been cordial.
Because the deadline to remove Giudici's name from the ballot has passed, his campaign team plans to continue efforts to elect him. California law stipulates that if a deceased candidate is elected, the governor will appoint a temporary replacement until a special election can be held.
"Bruce died knocking on doors and campaigning — doing exactly what he wanted to be doing in this moment: Talking and listening to voters and fighting for the future of District 5," his campaign stated. The team urged supporters to honor Giudici's commitment by electing him and ensuring his "vision and values continue to have a voice."
Giudici, a resident of Valley Springs for 36 years, was a husband and father of two daughters. He described himself on his campaign website as a fiscal conservative with a career in auditing complex budgets. He advocated for responsible leadership, reduced waste, and prioritizing constituents.
Giudici's platform included allocating funds to public safety, enhancing wildfire preparedness, adjusting water rates, repairing roads, implementing vocational programs for high school students, and preserving open spaces for agriculture. Prior to his political aspirations, Giudici served as the CFO of the Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency, an organization focused on meeting basic human needs and promoting economic security for families.