Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

13 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

15 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

16 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

16 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

16 hours ago

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

18 hours ago

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

1 day ago

State Department Approves $30 Million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

2 days ago

Cargo Ship That Caught Fire Carrying Electric Vehicles Sinks in the Pacific

2 days ago

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

2 days ago
What Does Swearengin Say About Running for Mayor Again?
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
October 15, 2018

Share

Ashley Swearengin has extinguished any ember that she may run again for Fresno mayor.
“There is no chance! You will never call me mayor again,” Swearengin said, chuckling at GV Wire’s question Friday at a Measure P news conference.
“I’ve done my time, I served my community. I’m loving life at the Central Valley Community Foundation, and I look forward to doing a lot more good things.”

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub
Politics 101
David Taub
Swearengin, the CEO of the foundation, is the power behind the Yes on Measure P campaign, which would raise the city sales tax to benefit parks, trails, and the arts.
Political insiders and speculators have whispered of a potential third Swearengin term in 2020, partially because of her leadership role on Measure P. That position puts her at odds with the current top occupant of 2600 Fresno Street, Lee Brand.
“I really appreciate and support our mayor, Mayor Brand. He’s doing a great job,” said Swearengin, who endorsed Brand over Henry R. Perea in the 2016 mayoral election.
Swearengin ran unsuccessfully for state controller in 2014, falling to Betty Yee.
The city charter allows Swearengin to run again, despite serving two terms (2009-2017), as long as she sits out one full election cycle.

Garcia Hacked?

Oscar Garcia
Oscar Garcia faced another obstacle in his re-election campaign for Fresno County Auditor-Controller.
Someone allegedly hacked into his email, attempting to steal money from his campaign bank account.
According to the complaint Garcia filed Sept. 29 with Selma police (his hometown), someone used his personal email account on Sept. 28 to request a $13,000 transfer from his bank to his event planner. Garcia told police he has no event planner.
The bank emailed Garcia back with the required documents needing his signature to make the transaction.
He caught on later that day when the bank texted him, asking for a call. The bank froze the account, and issued Garcia a new account number before wiring any money.
Garcia told police “(he) believes someone ‘ghosted’ his account, meaning someone gained access to his email account using Garcia’s personal information and posed as him on the emails sent and received by (his banker).
Selma police say the case remains open.

Two New Judges

Amy Guerra
Ana de Alba
Gov. Jerry Brown appointed two new members to the Fresno Superior Court last week. Both come from private practice.
Amy Guerra, an attorney with Richard Ciummo and Associates, and Ana de Alba, a shareholder at Lang, Richert, and Patch, will join the bench.
They will replace Dale Ikeda (retirement) and Mark Snauffer (elevated to the state 5th District Court of Appeal) respectively. Both women are Democrats.
“I am elated, honored, and humbled by the Governor’s appointment.  Becoming a judge is an honor that I do not take lightly and one which I will work daily to continue to deserve,” de Alba said. “I have always viewed and respected the law as a profession, not a job.  My continued desire to serve and enhance the profession is what made me want to apply to the bench.”
Guerra expressed similar excitement.
“I’m unbelievably honored to be selected. I’ve had the pleasure of working as a trial attorney in the Fresno Superior Court my entire career and I look forward to joining the many judges I’ve held in such high regard during that time,” Guerra said. “I’ve wanted to be judge since I was a young child.  I saw it as the pinnacle of a legal career, and later as an attorney.”
Guerra resigned her position on Mayor Lee Brand’s Citizens’ Public Safety Advisory Board after her appointment.

Speaking of Judges

While there are no competitive races, judges in for the 5th District Court of Appeal are up for election.
If an appeal court judge is appointed mid-term, voters need to confirm them in a future general election. Terms are for 12 years.
Six of the ten justices on the Fresno-based court are up for election after appointment by the sitting governor: Charles Poochigian, Donald Franson Jr., Bruce Smith, Kathleen Meehan, Mark Snauffer, and Thomas DeSantos.
Also, Carol Corrigan and Leondra Kruger are up for election at the state Supreme Court level.

WWE to Fresno. What about Saudi Arabia?

Why is the WWE in Politics 101? For your consideration:
1) The WWE announced a return to Fresno at the Save Mart Center Dec. 18 for a live airing of Smackdown Live on the USA Network. The group’s developmental NXT promotion is in Visalia on Nov. 16.
2) The wrestling behemoth is taking a lot of heat for its planned Nov. 2 event in Saudi Arabia, in light of the kingdom’s alleged involvement over the disappearance and suspected murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
3) WWE matriarch Linda McMahon is President Donald Trump’s SBA administrator. Glenn Jacobs, the wrestler known as Kane, is the recently elected mayor of Knox County, Tenn. Jacobs, as Kane, is scheduled for the main event of the “Crown Jewel” event in Saudi Arabia, airing on the WWE Network.
Kane teams with his brother The Undertaker versus the reunified Degeneration X: Triple H (who doubles as company executive vice president Paul Levesque) and Shawn Michaels. All four are bona fide WWE legends.
The wrestling company, in a short statement, said of the Saudi event: “We are currently monitoring the situation.”
(Update, 10/16/18: this story now includes a comment from Ana de Alba. Update 10/17/18: this story now includes a comment from Amy Guerra).
 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

DON'T MISS

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

DON'T MISS

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

DON'T MISS

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

DON'T MISS

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

DON'T MISS

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

UP NEXT

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

UP NEXT

Tesla Executive, Elon Musk Confidant Leaves EV Maker, Bloomberg News Reports

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Learn the Latest on the Caleb Quick Murder Hearings

UP NEXT

How a Birthday Boat Ride on Lake Tahoe Turned Tragic

UP NEXT

Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest

UP NEXT

Mamdani Holds Lead Over Cuomo in Democratic Primary for NYC Mayor

UP NEXT

US Airstrikes Failed to Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Sites, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Yemen’s Houthis Likely to Be Persistent Problem for US, Senior Military Official Says

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

11 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

13 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

14 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

15 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

15 hours ago

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

16 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

16 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

16 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

16 hours ago

Ringo Is Ready to Rock Your World With ‘Pawsitive’ Vibes!

16 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency has sent staff to the agency that enforces federal gun laws with the goal of revis...

10 hours ago

American Flag Revolver
10 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

Rob_Bonta_Speaking_At_Press_Conference_1280x720
10 hours ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

Garry_Bredefeld_Sandra_Celedon_Mesure_C_1280x720
11 hours ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

Fresno_Unified_Raises_1280x720
11 hours ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

Eastern Market in Washington, D.C.
13 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

Obamacare Sign in San Ysidro, California
14 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

Pride Flags Fly in New York
15 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

15 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend