Radio Station Owner Elected Fresno Mayor

FRESNO — First-time candidate Jim Patterson, owner of a Christian radio station here, has been elected Fresno’s mayor.

Patterson had 55% of the votes and a 6,168-vote lead over Councilman Brian Setencich in final, semiofficial returns.

Patterson appeared eager in victory remarks to alleviate concerns that his religious beliefs would exert too much influence on city policies. He was previously the head of an evangelical activist group here.

“The great American tradition is that in public life we dim our differences--religiously, ethnically, socially--so that we can work together for the common good,” Patterson said.

Fresno voters also adopted a strong mayor form of government by a 2-to-1 margin. The system will replace the current council-manager system in 1997.

Patterson nearly won in the primary with 46% of the vote. Setencich, a former professional basketball player in Europe, got 31% to make the runoff and knock out incumbent Mayor Karen Humphrey.