A fourth candidate has announced a bid to be Fresno's next mayor... And at least one more candidate is out there... Ready to go public

Fresno business executive Ashley Swearengin made her long awaited announcement this morning.

It is with great enthusiasm that i declare my candidacy for the mayor of Fresno, said Ashley Swearengin.

Swearengin joins former council member Tom Boyajian and current council members Mike Dages and jerry Duncan in this quickly crowding race... One that Fresno political analyst Don Larson believes could end with Henry t. Perea's expected announcement online Thursday...

I think that with Perea's announcement, that may be the end of the candidates, said Larson.

Swearengin would be Fresno's second female mayor, if elected. Karen Humphrey held office from 1989 until 1993... Larson says "issues" not gender should be the primary focus among voters in this race.

Is she capable? Can she do the job, asks Larson? He says those are the issues that you look at.

Swearingen's campaign will focus on people not politics she says, with a strong concentration on uprooting Fresno's impoverished communities.

It's all about jobs and education, it's about quality, safe neighborhoods, it's about making sure city hall is responsible to customers in the city, says Swearengin

Larson says she certainly isn't as well known generally as some members of city council who are running for public office or for mayor...

But that may be the factor that's driving her most...

Swearengin says she will spend the next six months pounding the pavement... She says Fresno's opportunity is now.

She’ll begin pounding the pavement this Saturday, November 17th with a walk party from her house. It kicks off at 8:30 a.m. and goes until 11:30 a.m. The address is 6414 North Harrison Avenue in Fresno.

Click on the video link to watch Preston Phillips' report.