The early bird gets the worm, and in Richmond a pair of early birds are prepping for the 2008 election.

Richmond City Councilman Nat Bates is looking like PAC Man with a June 21, 2007, reception at $250 a pop sponsored in the Richmond Sanitary Service Lobby by Council of Industries PAC, BAPAC, RICHPAC, BMW PAC, Richmond Police Officers Associate PAC and Independent PAC Local 188, IAFF (Richmond Firefighters).

My City Council seatmate, Tony Thurmond (www.tonythurmond.com), is aiming to succeed Loni Hancock as the representative of the 14th Assembly District.