Fresno's mayor may be headed for Sacramento. Mayor Ashley Swearengin has filed her candidacy for California state controller--a position with a tremendous amount of responsibility and power.
"It would be a steep climb for the person in the city hall here in the city of Fresno, but I certainly, if I choose to run, I intend to put my best foot forward," Swearengin says.
If Swearengin were to be elected, she'd have to give up her post as mayor early. She says she believes she's accomplished much in her five years so far.
"We've done 10 budgets in the last five years, we've managed to keep the city out of bankruptcy, we've put some solid plans in place to invite private investments back to some of the hardest part of our city," Swearengin says.
Political analyst Don Larson says it will be challenging for a republican candidate in a statewide election that typically votes Democrat. He adds that the mayor would have to greatly push her campaign efforts to reach voters outside the Central Valley.
"The first thing it would take is a lot of money," Larson says.
The state controller is the state's chief fiscal officer. With California having the ninth largest economy in the world, that's no easy task.
"It's a major economy and the controller would have a major role. It's like being treasurer for a whole country," Larson says.
He says central California is not typically a hot bed for political activity.
While not out of reach for a Republican from the Central Valley to be elected in a statewide election, it isn't the norm.
Some on the Fresno City Council say it may be the right move at the right time.
"When I first heard the news, I couldn't believe it, because I think this is a very big deal," says Clint Olivier, the city councilman representing Fresno's seventh district. "But when you look at it, it's really a natural move. It's a natural move for our mayor to take."
If the mayor's position becomes vacant, the council president would take over as mayor pro tempore until there's a special election.
The current council president is Steve Brandau. The position rotates every January, but the council is not mandated to rotate the council president's position--rather, it's done as a courtesy, Olivier says. This could present a potential power struggle if the mayor's spot is open.
Swearengin has until Friday at 5 p.m. to obtain a minimum of 65 nomination signatures in order for her candidacy to become official, says Brandi Orth, Fresno County Clerk.
The California primary election is in June, and the top two vote getters, regardless of political affiliation, move on to November's general election.