The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday endorsed Council Member Henry T. Perea for Fresno mayor.

In the announcement, chamber president Al Smith credited Perea’s voting record on both business issues and public safety.

“The decision on who to endorse was not easy by any means,” Smith said. “But we feel that Henry can take our city to the next level given his common sense business approach and his ability to collaborate with the different interests that make our city so unique.”

Others questioned the endorsement, saying Perea lacks business experience and holds more liberal political views.

“It’s interesting that the Chamber would endorse someone with no experience at all in the private sector to run a billion-dollar entity,” said Republican strategist Michael Der Manouel Jr. “That’s the overriding issue - he doesn’t have enough experience to be mayor.”

Perea could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.

--Denny Boyles