Two more runners joined the increasingly crowded race for mayor of Fresno on Wednesday.

Ashley Swearengin, co-founder of the Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative, and Fresno City Council President Henry T. Perea announced their candidacies, joining Council Members Mike Dages and Jerry Duncan and former Council Member Tom Boyajian.

Swearengin, chief executive officer of the Regional Jobs Initiative, made her announcement in front of a crowd of about 100 people at Eaton Plaza in downtown Fresno. Her platform includes increasing employment and educational opportunities, developing industrial parks, cleaning up the air and upgrading Highway 99.

Perea, serving his fifth year on the City Council, made his announcement on his Web site, www.perea2008.com. Perea said the high-tech approach was designed to show that he is a different kind of candidate and will be a different kind of mayor. He plans to focus on progressive ideas such as renewable energy, as well as traditional topics such as jobs initiatives, public safety and infrastructure.

Mayor Alan Autry's second term expires in January 2009. Candidates to replace Autry can take out nomination papers in February. A primary election will be held in June. If no one wins outright, the top two vote-getters will face a runoff election in November.

Swearengin, 35, plans to help develop a unified vision and a road map for investing and revitalizing downtown Fresno. She hopes to preserve historic properties, increase the number of sworn police officers and continue the gang prevention task force.

She also proposes to work with Fresno County and nonprofit groups to come up with a long-term strategy to address the homeless population.

Swearengin said she believes in placing people first rather than allowing politics to make the important decisions.

"People are working together, but we still have great challenges ahead. We have the highest concentration of poverty than other large cities in the United States. Our education rates are below state and national averages. ... The next mayor of Fresno will determine whether we tip forward or backward and revert to politics as usual," Swearengin said.

"I really believe in this city and its potential."

Perea, 30, said he has a passion to serve, and wants to help Fresno progress. He wants to work with public safety officials on combating gangs and methamphetamine. He also believes renewable energy is part of the answer to the region's air quality problems.

"That includes retrofitting city buildings, and creating a market for renewable energy companies to locate here," Perea said.

"Renewable energy needs to be a cornerstone of our air quality issues."

He sees the role of the mayor as setting a vision for the city, and ensuring that vision is collectively embraced by the City Council and the community.

"The next mayor will set the tone for decades of policy," Perea said. "We need a consensus builder, someone who will say, 'Let's lead together.' "

He said the crowded field of candidates does not worry him.

"I'm running with blinders on," Perea said.

"I'm running for mayor, and not running against any particular candidate. That will allow me to stay focused on the issues, and give me the time to talk about things people care about."

The reporters can be reached at dboyles@fresnobee.com, vcolon@fresnobee.com or (559)441-6330.

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