Meet Drew

A lifetime of public service.

Proud to serve the City of Clovis, California.

Drew's Story

Drew Bessinger has spent his entire adult life in service — to his country, to public safety, and to the community of Clovis. From the U.S. Army Military Police, to a career in law enforcement, to City Hall, Drew has always shown up when he was needed.

Drew and his young sons, ages 4 and 2, moved to Clovis in 1984. Drew moved from Santa Barbara, where he was a police officer, so he could raise his kids as a single dad and be able to buy a home. After working for the University Police Department at Fresno State for almost 3 years, Drew transferred to the Clovis Police Department in 1987. Drew's CPD career spanned the next 3 decades as he worked patrol, detectives, youth services, and SWAT as he rose through the ranks to Captain. Drew retired in 2009 with 30 years of civilian law enforcement. Drew then began a succession of interim police chief jobs for 4 cities, and finally as the airport police chief at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. He retired from law enforcement (again) in 2021.

Drew's service to Clovis didn't end with his retirement from Clovis PD. Drew served for 3 years as a personnel commissioner and then ran for the Clovis City Council in 2017. Even though he was out fundraised almost 3-1, Drew knocked on over 2,500 doors to take his message directly to the citizens of Clovis. Drew's efforts garnered a resounding victory with 68% of the vote. Drew served as the Clovis Mayor during the first awful year of the pandemic. Drew lead the charge to protect our citizens and help small businesses that were deemed "non-essential" by Sacramento politicians. Drew has been reelected twice. Drew juggled being a single dad and full time police officer as he attended Fresno State part-time for 10 years. Drew holds an AA in Administration of Justice (1983) from Santa Barbara City College and a BA in Public Administration (1995) from Fresno State. Drew also holds the breadth of California Peace Officer certifications from the Basic Certificate to the Executive Certificate.

Drew has been a steady, common-sense voice for the residents of Clovis. He stands with our police officers and firefighters, champions responsible growth, protects our small business community, and works to keep Clovis one of the safest and most family-friendly cities in California.

Drew has been married for 26 years to Yvonne Avila Bessinger, a proud Clovis HS Class of 76er and a 65 year Clovis resident. Yvonne's family moved to Clovis in 1961, and her mother still lives in the same house in SW Clovis.

Drew and Yvonne are proud residents of Clovis. They love our schools, the rodeo and other Old Town events, and watching Clovis grow and still have that "small-town" feel. I want my grandchildren to inherit the same lifestyle we had. That's the Clovis Drew is fighting to protect — and to hand off even stronger to the next generation.

A Life of Service

From the US Army, to Law Enforcement, to City Hall

U.S. Army

Serving as a Military Police officer

Drew's career of service began in uniform — building the discipline, integrity, and leadership that shaped everything to come. Drew served his nation for 4 years, including almost 3 years in Germany, as a Military Police Investigator with an MP Customs unit. Drew's father was an Army veteran, wounded and captured during the Battle of the Bulge in January 1945. In 2025, Drew honored his dad's service at an event on the day and location of his dad's capture in Belgium. Drew's great-grandfather served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Drew is proud of his family's legacy of service to our nation, and in his service to the citizens of Clovis.

Law Enforcement

Police Chief for 5 Cities and Clovis PD Captain

Drew's background makes him a strong advocate for community safety, and for the men and women of our police and fire departments. Drew has served as a law enforcement officer with the Department of Defense, State of California and 7 local governments, five as the Police Chief. Drew sought more responsibility as he rose through the ranks. Drew was often the person sought out for difficult or sensitive problems. From Internal Affairs to auditing the evidence rooms, Drew ensured standards were adhered to. As a Police Chief, Drew took over two agencies in melt-down and made the difficult and controversial decisions necessary. True leadership requires decisive action; Teddy Roosevelt said “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Drew can withstand the arrows when the difficult decision is obvious and ethical.

Clovis Community

Member of the Clovis City Council since 2017 and Mayor from 2019-2021.

From Old Town parades, events honoring our veterans, or simply getting into his truck to see problems first-hand, Drew and his family are proud to be part of what makes Clovis special. Being in a leadership position isn't always easy. Some decisions will be non-controversial. Some decisions will not be popular but absolutely necessary. It's important to have people who will not be concerned about their next reelection but in making the correct decision for the citizens for all of Clovis. That's one of the advantages of having public servants with no ambition for their next office ... just serving you.

Experience & Leadership

U.S. Army Military Police veteran

Clovis City Councilmember since 2017 and Mayor 2019-2021

Strong advocate for our police and fire personnel, and ensuring our City services are top notch

Champion of small business and responsible growth

30-year Police Academy Instructor at Fresno City College

42 year Clovis resident, husband, father, grandfather and community leader

Why I'm running

"I have been in public service a long time. I seek the opportunity to continue to serve the community that I served, where I raised my kids, where I met my bride, and to make sure it's a great place for my grandkids to live. As a retiree, I have the time and the energy to get out there and see what needs to be fixed. I have no asperations for higher office, I want to continue to serve my hometown and it's citizens. I'm running to make sure the next generation of Clovis families gets that same chance — safe streets and schools, strong local businesses, great parks and trails, logically planned growth, and a City Hall that never forgets who it works for."

See the Priorities Get Involved

Vote Councilman Drew Bessinger — Clovis City Council District 5