In most years, the race for state controller is largely overshadowed by contests for other statewide offices. But this year, the contest between Betty Yee and Ashley Swearengin has attracted wide interest, especially in the San Joaquin Valley.
Yee, a Democrat and a member of the Board of Equalization narrowly edged out John Perez for second place in the June primary. And with Democrats splitting their vote between two candidates, Swearengin, who is in her second term as Fresno’s mayor, finished in first.
While most polls show Yee with a significant lead ahead of the November general election, Swearengin still hopes to pull off an upset, while at the same time boosting her name recognition statewide and her profile in the GOP. Recently on Valley Edition we talked with Swearengin, first about a few local issues and then about the campaign for state controller.