The head of the Regional Jobs Initiative and the deputy mayor sought to join a crowded race for Fresno mayor this week, while candidates started to trickle in for other local elections.

Ashley Swearengin and Deputy Mayor Jeff Eben received their nomination papers for the mayor's race at the Fresno County elections office.

Swearengin, of the jobs program at California State University, Fresno, also held a rally downtown for her mayoral campaign on Tuesday.

Swearengin and Eben joined five candidates -- three City Council members, a former council member, and a police detective -- who previously picked up nomination papers for the mayor's race.

They're vying to replace Mayor Alan Autry, who has to give up the office after eight years due to term limits.

Mayoral candidates must receive 20 signatures from registered Fresno voters to qualify for the June 3 ballot. The deadline to register is March 7.

  
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Bee staff writers Marc Benjamin, John Ellis, Cyndee Fontana and Brad Branan contributed to this report. The reporters can be reached at mbenjamin@fresnobee.com