FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno County will soon see a change of leadership.

District Four Supervisor Buddy Mendes announced he plans to retire after nearly 12 years.

“I've got a life to live. I think everybody needs to realize there's two things: you don't stay in this job forever, and you don't live forever.”

This is only a partial retirement, though. He says he will still be busy working on his farm.

“I actually want to spend more time, you know, with my family and on the farm. Most people that have these jobs, they can go home and relax. Well, I got to go home and work,” Mendes said.

As he prepares to step down, he has already picked his ideal replacement: former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.

“The obvious question is why? Why would I come out of retirement after

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