A potential third term for Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is getting mixed reaction from the city’s political power brokers.

The Fresno City Council will consider Thursday placing a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that would allow councilmembers and the mayor to serve three consecutive four-year terms, extended from the current two. The total years served would be capped at 12, under the proposed measure that voters would need to approve.

If approved, Dyer said he would run for a third term in 2028. He was elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024.

Dyer is getting bipartisan support.

Brooke Ashjian, former Fresno Unified trustee and CEO of Seal Rite Paving, Inc., supports another Dyer term. Known for his conservative leanings, Ashjian financially supported Dyer’s prior runs for office.

“I’m excited. I think Jerry Dyer will go down as the most consequential mayor in the history of the city of Fresno,” Ashjian said. “He’s made Fresno first, and it’s been seen and proven.”

Jason Carns, a political consultant who has run several successful campaigns — mostly for Democratic candidates — welcomes four more years.

“Jerry has done a good job as mayor, working with the Democratic City Council to balance the needs of the city. Ultimately this is a win-win, it allows elected officials to gain more experience but puts a hard term limit at 12 years which prevents career politicians from cycling back in forever, allowing eventual fresh blood to enter the system,” Carns said.

Arambula against

Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, who is running for District 3 city council, said he would vote against term limit extensions.

“Voters have not favored extending term limits and neither do I. The city council could better use its time and resources to form an independent redistricting commission or consider expanding the council from seven to nine members for better representation for all Fresno. If I was on the council, I would not support those in power wanting to hang onto it. I would maintain term limits as they are because I believe we need to counter the influence of special interests with fresh leadership,” Arambula said.

Another potential ballot measure would create a local redistricting advisory commission, but the city council would still vote on the final boundaries.

Pundits speculated whether Arambula might run for mayor in 2028, although he said he would not during a candidate forum last spring.

Nav Gurm, a candidate in District 7, said he supports “the tools of direct democracy” and would “respect whatever the voters decide.”

Their respective November election opponents, Keshia Thomas in District 3 and Ariana Martinez Lott in District 7, have not responded to a request for comment.

District 6 Councilmember Nick Richardson, a Republican representing northeast Fresno in his first term, could theoretically benefit from an extension but said he does not want it.

“I’m grateful for Mayor Dyer’s leadership, and I acknowledge that in a complex position like the mayorship, experience goes a long way toward efficiency and effectiveness. That said, I’m a big fan of short term limits, and as a voter, I wouldn’t be a fan of 12-year terms. I’m also not in a rush to make that decision for the voters. Regardless of my vote on the dais, I’d be unlikely to vote yes should it make it to my ballot in November,” Richardson said.

Where labor, business stand

Dillon Savory, executive director of the FMTK Central Labor Council, supports the status quo of two consecutive terms and no overall limit.

“Nobody dislikes him, and for the most part, he’s a pretty good advocate for the city, but career politicians are what’s wrong with America,” Savory said.

At a Monday news conference, Dyer said capping service at 12 years would discourage career politicians.

Scott Miller, CEO of the Fresno Chamber, said his group has not taken a position, “but the Chamber has always supported Dyer in the past.”