Following weeks of speculation, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin officially announced Saturday that she will not run for U.S. Senate.
Of the possibility she might seek the seat being vacated by Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2016, Swearengin’s political consultant Tim Clark said Saturday, “It’s not the right seat for her and it’s not the right time.”
The right time? Likely, 2018. Swearengin’s second mayoral term will end in 2016.
Clark said Swearengin is likely better suited for an executive position than the Legislature.
“She’s got a lot of options. If she decided to run in 2018, she needs to figure out what fits best. Executive leadership has always been a strength of hers.”
When Swearengin conceded her race for state controller in November, she was less than 6 percentage points behind Democrat opponent Betty Yee.
After she finishes her mayoral term, Swearengin could have two free years to campaign for a 2018 race — what Clark called a “tremendous benefit” to her if she decides to run for office.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/02/28/4402820_swearengin-announces-she-wont.html?rh=1