Mayor Tom Bates this week filed the necessary campaign finance forms that would enable him to run for reelection this November.
“I had to file the report, but I’m not officially running for reelection,” Bates told Berkeleyside. “I will make an announcement in the next couple of weeks.”
Bates, who is 73, has been mayor for ten years, serving one two-year term, followed by two four-year terms.
According to Acting City Clerk Mark Numainville, there is an important distinction between required campaign finance forms and the paperwork necessary to become a qualified candidate. The form Bates filed allows him to raise or spend money, but nothing else.
“It doesn’t commit you to run and it doesn’t qualify you as a candidate,” Numainville said.
Bates’ wife, State Senator Loni Hancock, preceded him in the Berkeley mayor’s office where she served for two terms. No other names have yet emerged as candidates for mayor.
The nomination period for candidates is July 16 to August 10. In addition to the mayoral race, there will be elections will be contested in the November general election for council districts 2, 3, 5 and 6, four rent board seats and two school board seats.
Related:
Mayor Bates’ new chief of staff brings startup experience to City Hall [01.11.12]
Berkeleyside interview: Mayor Tom Bates [07.19.10]
