Del Carlo has served as Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Guy Houston in the 15th Assembly District. Bovée sports an 86% winning record in 300+ California campaigns. And Presson, who is also handling Republican Danny Gilmore’s campaign for the 30th Assembly v Democrat incumbent Nicole Parra, is the chief strategist for the top two targeted Assembly races in California in 2008. Just keep Presson (no site) and Bovee (yech) away from Abram’s web site and no one will get ill.

- California Firefighters (CPF) endorse Scott Kamena for AD-15 Republican Primary

- Guy Houston, current AD-15 Assemblyman and Contra Costa County Supervisor candidate (District 3) announced support for Assembly Bill 2417, the Safe Neighborhoods Act, authored by Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster). The Act increases penalties to criminals and targets criminal street gangs, felons with guns, and drug dealers by ensuring sufficient, and stable funding to local law enforcement.

Erik Nunn’s piece about how District 5 voters should elect “Common-Sense” Republicans like him that appears at the erstwhile Political Vanguard should be updated now that Erik has jumped to the Democratic Party to better serve his constituents. And how about that Democrat support for Uilkema and Mary Piepho!

So as NOT to disappoint, here are Mark’s own TOP TEN REASONS YOU SHOULD SPEND THE BEGINNING OF SPRING WITH MARK PETERSON:

10. We can celebrate the 49ers’ and the Raiders’ perfect record.
9. Let’s talk about Obama, Chelsea’s mama, and finding Osama.
8. Springtime is the best time to focus on how many workers it takes to fix Ygnacio Valley Road.
7. Gives us a chance to discuss what’s not happening at the Concord Naval Weapons Station.
6. The grass is growing, flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and politicians are raising money. It’s called the “circle of life.”
5. We need to record everyone’s progress in Mayor Bill Shinn’s 100 Drinks Club – his version of my 100 Miles Club.
4. It’s that time of year to help Mark Peterson plan how he is going to pay for prom dresses for three daughters. (Please do not mention the prospect of three weddings.)
3. We can finally celebrate a year of snow in the mountains and a reason to take a vacation day.
2. Spring cleaning includes “cleaning out” our checkbooks to attend fundraising events.

And the #1 Reason….(drumroll)
1. Springtime allergies and spending time with Mark Peterson just seem to go together.

Call for reservations or e-mail for more information: Margie Kauble (510) 758-2637 or Denise Gianni (510) 222-2637, or e-mail.

There have been no surprises so far in the filing of nomination papers for the June 3 primary election. The top candidates, even with few incumbents running, were pretty much decided when Prop. 93, the term limits extension, failed in February. Most of these had announced their intentions last year.

The February election left all five of the incumbents in legislative districts in the county termed out of their respective offices as of early December. Three of the five are seeking to switch legislative houses. State Sen. Don Perata of Oakland is collecting funds for a run at the State Board of Equalization in two years. Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon, is going down the ladder, looking for a seat on the county Board of Supervisors.

Candidates have until this 5 p.m. this Friday, March 7, to complete their nomination papers and turn them in, except in the cases where incumbents do not file for re-election. They then have until 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 12.

Candidates in the county’s three congressional districts will all have to file by this Friday, since all the incumbents are seeking re-election. All are multi-county districts, so the list here is incomplete, including only Contra Costa candidates.

In addition to the partisan primaries, voters will decide three county supervisor seats , nine Superior Court judgeships and seats on political party county central committees. None of the nine incumbent judges is being opposed so far.

As of last Friday, most candidates for partisan office or supervisor have taken out nomination papers, but have not filed them to get on the ballot. The Contra Costa Elections Office listed the following candidates. Other would-be candidates can take out papers and complete filing by Friday or, in the case of extensions, March 12. (*=incumbent)

CONGRESS
7th District
(not including Solano County portions)
Democrat — *George Miller, D-Martinez
Republican — Virginia O. Fuller-Kendall, Pinole
— Roger A. Peterson, Clayton (filed final papers)
Libertarian — Camden McConnell, Pittsburg
Peace & Freedom — William Callison

10th District
(not including Alameda, San Joaquin and other county portions)
Democrat — *Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo
Republican — David Peterson, Walnut Creek
— Nicholas Gerber, Moraga (filed final papers)
Peace & Freedom — Eugene Ruyle, Oakland

11th District
(not including Alameda, San Joaquin and other county portions)
Democrat — *Jerald McNerney, D-Pleasanton
(Republicans and others are expected to file in other counties.)

STATE SENATE
7th District
(*Tom Torlakson not running)
Democrat — Mark DeSaulnier, Concord
Joe Canciamilla, Pittsburg

9th District
(not including full Alameda County filings)
(* Don Perata not filing)
Peace & Freedom — Marsha Feinland, Berkeley
Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, and former Assemblywoman Wilma Change are expected to be the main candidates.)

ASSEMBLY
11th District
(* Mark DeSaulnier not running)
Democrat — Tom Torlakson, Antioch

14th District
(not including Alameda County filings)
(* Guy Houston not running)
Democrat — Joan Buchanan, Alamo
— Stephen Filson, Danville
— Ted Ford, Walnut Creek (filed final papers)
— Seven Thomas, Danville
Republican — Abram Wilson, San Ramon
Judy Lloyd, Danville

COUNTY SUPERVISOR
2nd District
*Gayle Uilkema, Lafayette

3rd District
*Mary Nejedly Piepho, Discovery Bay
Guy Houston, San Ramon

5th District
*Federal Glover, Pittsburg
Donald Parscal, Brentwood
Erik Nunn, Oakley
Gary Agopian, Antioch

Information on the filings in Contra Costa County can be obtained from the elections office at (925) 335-7800.

Filing papers which are available to the public include state and local candidates’ declarations of intent to run, pledges to stay within state or local voluntary mandated funding limits, conflict of interest statements and other materials. Congressional candidates file only nomination papers locally. Other requirements are met with filings with the Federal Elections Commission or the House of Representatives.

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Pat Keeble is former Political Editor of Lesher Newspapers, Inc., now known as Contra Costa Newspapers, and is editor and publisher of her own online news site Contra Costa Insider.