I just talked with political consultant Tom Shepard and we meandered over to the subject that our good, opinionated friend SLOP has been touching on lately: the uncertainty of the 2008 primary election. (Read SLOP for all the gritty details.)
Shepard said all the questions about whether the primary will be moved from June 2008 to February 2008 have thrown potential candidates for local offices for a loop. That’s because the city of San Diego’s election law prohibits candidates from raising money or campaigning a year before the election.
“That creates a barrier for anyone getting actively involved. The problem is we don’t know when the primary is going to be,” Shepard said. “If it is February — and it could be — the candidates needed to start getting organized last month.”
Among those elected offices that will be up for grabs next year: mayor, city attorney and half of the council seats.