Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
What Does Swearengin Say About Running for Mayor Again?
David Website Replacement
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

Russia Removes Afghan Taliban From List of Banned Terrorist Groups

DON'T MISS

Operation Assad: The Air Mission to Smuggle the Syrian Despot’s Valuables

DON'T MISS

Mother of Woman Killed by Immigrant Speaks at White House Briefing

DON'T MISS

Lilly Weight-Loss Pill Works as Well as Ozempic, Shares Surge

DON'T MISS

Jung Hoo Lee Stars as the Surging Giants Beat Aaron Nola and the Phillies

DON'T MISS

Moscow Plans to Use Seized US-Owned Company to Feed Russian Army, Document Shows

DON'T MISS

Scientists Find Strongest Evidence yet of Life on an Alien Planet

DON'T MISS

Ohtani Hits 448-Foot Homer in 7-Run 1st Inning, Dodgers Sweep Rockies

DON'T MISS

Ursula Is Beautiful, Athletic, and Seeking Your Companionship

DON'T MISS

EU Announces $1.8 Billion Aid Package for Palestinian Authority

UP NEXT

Zoom Down for Thousands of Users, Downdetector Shows

UP NEXT

Selma City Manager Says His Firing Was ‘Purely Politically Motivated’

UP NEXT

Puerto Rico Goes Dark After Widespread Power Plant Failure

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Exposing Dark Money Group That Attacked Vang

UP NEXT

Harper and Realmuto Homer to Help Lead the Phillies to a Win Over the Giants

UP NEXT

Will Smith’s 3-Run Homer Sends Dodgers Over Major League-Worst Rockies

UP NEXT

Retail Sales Rise 1.4% in March as Shoppers Stock Up on Big Ticket Items Ahead of Tariffs

UP NEXT

Autism Rates in US Children Hit Record Level in 2022, CDC Data Show

UP NEXT

Tens of Thousands of Jews Gather for Traditional Blessing in Jerusalem

UP NEXT

Dodgers Beat Rockies but Colorado Avoids Another Shutout in 4th Straight Loss

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

Lilly Weight-Loss Pill Works as Well as Ozempic, Shares Surge

22 minutes ago

Jung Hoo Lee Stars as the Surging Giants Beat Aaron Nola and the Phillies

26 minutes ago

Moscow Plans to Use Seized US-Owned Company to Feed Russian Army, Document Shows

30 minutes ago

Scientists Find Strongest Evidence yet of Life on an Alien Planet

47 minutes ago

Ohtani Hits 448-Foot Homer in 7-Run 1st Inning, Dodgers Sweep Rockies

53 minutes ago

Ursula Is Beautiful, Athletic, and Seeking Your Companionship

56 minutes ago

EU Announces $1.8 Billion Aid Package for Palestinian Authority

1 hour ago

How Trump Might Unwittingly Cut Emissions From Online Shopping

1 hour ago

Trump Slams Fed’s Powell Over Rates, Saying Termination Can’t ‘Come Fast Enough’

1 hour ago

Dollar, US Stocks Find Some Stability as Trade Talks Help the Mood

1 hour ago

Google Holds Illegal Monopolies in Ad Tech, US Judge Finds, Allowing US to Seek Breakup

(Reuters) – Alphabet’s Google illegally dominated two markets for online advertising technology, a judge ruled on Thursday, deal...

1 second ago

The logo for Google LLC is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 17, 2021. (REUTERS File)
1 second ago

Google Holds Illegal Monopolies in Ad Tech, US Judge Finds, Allowing US to Seek Breakup

Members of the Taliban participate in a rally to mark the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul, in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 14, 2024. (REUTERS File)
3 minutes ago

Russia Removes Afghan Taliban From List of Banned Terrorist Groups

A satellite image, according to Reuters analysis, shows the C5-SKY jet taxiing to the runway before its flight out of Syria, at Hmeimim air base, Syria December 8, 2024. (2025 Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS)
8 minutes ago

Operation Assad: The Air Mission to Smuggle the Syrian Despot’s Valuables

Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin who was murdered in 2023, speaks during a briefing for reporters at the White House in Washington, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The appearance by Patty Morin came as a federal judge threatened the Trump administration with a contempt-of-court investigation over its deportation flights to El Salvador. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
14 minutes ago

Mother of Woman Killed by Immigrant Speaks at White House Briefing

The logo of Lilly is seen on a wall of the Lilly France company unit, part of the Eli Lilly and Co drugmaker group, in Fegersheim near Strasbourg, France, February 1, 2018. Picture taken February 1, 2018. (REUTERS/Vincent Kessler)
22 minutes ago

Lilly Weight-Loss Pill Works as Well as Ozempic, Shares Surge

26 minutes ago

Jung Hoo Lee Stars as the Surging Giants Beat Aaron Nola and the Phillies

Russian conscripts called up for military service line up during a ceremony before their departure for garrisons, in Bataysk in the Rostov region, Russia, April 10, 2025. (REUTERS File)
30 minutes ago

Moscow Plans to Use Seized US-Owned Company to Feed Russian Army, Document Shows

An illustration shows a hycean world – an exoplanet with a liquid water ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere - orbiting a red dwarf star. Based on observations by the James Webb Space Telescope, the exoplanet K2-18 b might fit in this category. This illustration was obtained by Reuters on April 16, 2025. (A. Smith, N. Madhusudhan/University of Cambridge/Handout via REUTERS)
47 minutes ago

Scientists Find Strongest Evidence yet of Life on an Alien Planet

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

Search

Send this to a friend