September 30, 2009

CUPERTINO - Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor, announced Sept. 30, 2009 the endorsement of Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin. Swearengin will serve as a campaign co-chair.  She was sworn in as mayor of California’s fifth largest city in January.

“Meg Whitman has a strong record of successfully managing large organizations and promoting the type of entrepreneurship that has fueled California’s economy,” Swearengin said.  “Now, more than ever, California’s government needs strong, proven management, and our economy needs a Governor like Meg Whitman who understands how to foster innovation and job growth.  That’s especially important here in the San Joaquin Valley where unemployment and lack of water are serious problems.”

Swearengin is the only woman to serve as mayor of one of California’s top ten largest cities.

“Mayor Swearengin is a stand-out mayor who represents the future of California leaders, and Fresno voters resoundingly elected a leader with energy and vision to tackle big challenges. I am honored to have her endorsement and to have her serve as a co-chair of my campaign.”

Swearengin won the 2008 mayoral election by  a significant margin.  She was appointed to the California Commission on Economic Development in 2007 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also served as the point person for the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. She is the co-founder of the Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
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Communications@MegWhitman.com