Mike Briggs is running for a return engagement as a city councilman.

The Tower District businessman represented the area from 1995-1998 before serving two terms in the state Assembly from 1998-2002. He has been a fixture in the Tower District, operating a real estate firm there.

In an email announcing his return plans, Briggs said cleaning up crime and garbage are his top priorities.

“We will expand the police department to two cops per 1,000 citizens so we can answer all police calls and do so with utmost safety for the officers,” Briggs said.

He will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the old Chicken Pie Shop in the Tower District.

Four Now in the Race

Briggs, a 63-year old Republican, is running in District 1 — which covers west Fresno and the north end of the Tower District. He is one of four candidates running to replace termed-out Esmeralda Soria.

Also running are State Center Community College District Trustee Annalisa Perea, businessmen Cary Catalano, and former Fresno police officer Jeremy Preis, who is an insurance agent.

Perea and Catalano have been campaigning since 2020. Perea has more than $247,000 cash on hand; Catalano reported more than $127,000 cash on hand; Preis reported more than a $1,700 cash balance.

Soria has endorsed Perea as her successor.

Briggs has filed paperwork with the county election clerk, and with the city to raise funds. The deadline to file is March 11. The election is on June 7. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two will advance to the Nov. 8 general election. The new term starts on Jan. 3, 2023.

In 2002, Briggs ran for a newly-drawn congressional seat instead of a return to the Assembly. He lost in a Republican primary to eventual winner Devin Nunes.