Twelve hours after she claimed victory in the race to replace Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, Ashley Swearengin said she was already forming a team to make her transition into City Hall as smooth as possible.
"The work begins Monday for me. The team is not yet set, but I'm forming the group that will help me prepare to take office in January," Swearengin said.
On Tuesday, Swearengin, on leave as director of the Regional Jobs Initiative, successfully ended a yearlong campaign for mayor with a 55% to 45% win over Council Member Henry T. Perea. Swearengin dominated the city's northern precincts, while Perea led in the southern precincts.
It was the most expensive mayoral race in Fresno's history, and the final days of the campaign were marked by increasingly negative advertisements by groups that supported Perea.
Wednesday morning, Swearengin said she had put those negative ads behind her and was ready to work with Perea and anyone else interested in helping the city. She said she had not spoken with Perea since the results were announced.
"I really appreciate and respect Henry. I want him to be successful here, and to continue to be a tremendous council member," Swearengin said.
Perea did not return several calls seeking comment.
Swearengin will be sworn in on Jan. 6. She said she had clearly defined goals for her first month as mayor, and at the top of the list is the city budget.
Swearengin said the world economy has changed rapidly in the past six months, and could change more before she takes office. She said she owed it to Fresno's taxpayers to keep a close eye on the city's finances from her first day.
"My top priority in my first month in office will to ensure public safety spending is protected going forward, that ongoing audits of all major department budgets are performed and that we batten down the hatches, so to speak, to weather any oncoming storms," Swearengin said.
Swearengin said she planned to ask Autry to remain connected during her transition, something the outgoing mayor said he already was planning to do.
"I want to make sure she gets all the information she needs, and every bit of help we can give her," Autry said.
Swearengin also said she will keep City Manager Andy Souza for at least her first few months in office.
"I've told him I'm committed to opening that position up to a national search in six months, but I hope he will apply," Swearengin said.
Autry, who lobbied both candidates to keep Souza, said he thought Swearengin was making a good choice.
"The team we have in place has done some excellent work, and once those people are gone, they aren't going to come back," Autry said.
Souza said he was excited about the future of Fresno, and would be happy to work for Swearengin.
"There are some definite challenges over the next couple of horizons, and I look forward to being here as we deal with them," Souza said.
When Swearengin is sworn in, Fresno will have women in the top two elected positions at City Hall -- mayor and council president. Council Member Cynthia Sterling, the next council president, said it will be a history-making moment for the city. Sterling supported Perea but said once the election ended she had vowed to work with Swearengin.
"I hope to work in-step with our new mayor, and I'm very happy for her. I think the stars couldn't have fallen in line any better," Sterling said.
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