Even before the results began to swing toward Ashley Swearengin on Tuesday in the race to succeed Alan Autry as mayor of Fresno, Henry T. Perea and his supporters were raising eyebrows election night.

First, a Perea supporter at Palomino's restaurant forcibly ejected a camera crew from ABC 30.

Later, Perea didn't call Swearengin to congratulate her once it was clear she had won. On Thursday Swearengin staffers said the call still had not come as far as they knew.

Perea has not returned phone calls from The Bee since about 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mayor Alan Autry, who endorsed Swearengin late in the campaign after he became frustrated with what he called Perea's negative tactics, said on Wednesday that Perea's behavior shows that he isn't ready to serve as mayor.

"How someone handles success tells you a lot about that person. How they handle failure tells you even more. Ashley has handled herself with a level of class and maturity that is obviously missing from his campaign," Autry said.

Autry was especially critical of the ejection at the restaurant.

Perea supporters gathered at Palomino's restaurant in the Tower District to watch election results, and though there was no list it was apparently an "invitation only" event.

At least that the reason given for forcibly ejecting a cameraman from ABC 30.

The cameraman was trying to record images of Perea entering the restaurant, along with crews from every other Fresno television station, when former City Council Member Brad Castillo put his had on the camera lens and pushed the cameraman out of the restaurant, saying "Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye."

Castillo said it was an exclusive event, and the crew from ABC 30 wasn't welcome. They were the only news crew kept outside.

Tracey Watkowski, news director for ABC 30, said it was unfortunate that the Perea campaign kept the cameraman from doing his job.

"Action News has been committed to covering the Fresno Mayoral race fairly and accurately for our viewers. It is unfortunate the Perea campaign folks felt could keep us from doing our jobs, by keeping us outside the party. When results started coming in, and it was clear Ashley Swearengin would win, Perea's party became a non-issue for us," Watkowski said.

Later, when the results showed that he had lost the election, Perea left the restaurant quickly.

Autry said he still believes Perea has a political future, but he will have to repair some damage he's done to his reputation.

"There's a lot of pressure on you during a campaign, but you can't just walk away if you lose. You have to show appreciation for those who helped you, and there are protocols you follow, including congratulating the person who won. That's just the right way to do things," Autry said.