Ashby First To Declare For Sacramento's Mayor Race

Now that Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson says he's not running for another term, city councilwoman Angelique Ashby has announced she will.

Ashby says Johnson's decision not to run was not a factor.   

"I don't think you make a decision about running for office based on who else is in or who's out. You could spend a lot of time or lose a lot of sleep worrying about that. What I have focused on is myself and this city and whether or not I think that's a match and I do."

Ashby has represented Natomas and District 1 for five years and has been Vice Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem for the past four years.

She has spent much of her time on levee-repair projects and restoration of fire department service. She voted with the mayor all the way through the arena process, but insisted that development of the Sleeptrain Arena site be part of the new downtown arena deal.

She is the first person to declare as a candidate for the 2016 mayor's race.