The 2004 election season revs up on Saturday, January 29, as the Richmond Progressive Alliance, “a coalition of progressive Democrats, Greens and Independents,’ convenes a “Public Forum” at the Madeline F. Whittlesey room of the Richmond Public Library on Saturday, January 31, 4:00 PM.

The featured guest speaker is Matt Gonzales of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and recent runner-up for mayor of San Francisco. The Alliance will use the occasion to announce the candidacy of Gayle McLaughlin and Andres Soto for City Council.

Why anyone would want to be on the star-crossed and routinely maligned Richmond City Council is a question that puzzles many. But the 2004 campaign is shaping up as traditional cast of dozens, if not thousands. Although incumbents have made no formal announcements, it is expected that Butt, Bates, Bell and Belcher (the “For B’s”) will run again, along with Mindell Penn. The first challenger to publicly announce was Eddrick Osborne, who already has his web site up at http://www.osborneforcouncil.org/index.php.

In addition to the five incumbents and McLaughlin, Soto and Osborne, rumor has it that former Councilman John Marquez will try for comeback. Former Local 790 President Marshall Walker has also been mentioned as a possible candidate. Reliable sources say that several additional “surprise” candidates will soon announce.

The deadline for candidate filing is August 6, 2004, unless any incumbent does not file by August 6, in which case the deadline will be extended to August 11, 2004.