The real races start tomorrow

Starting Monday, candidates for public office across the state will begin signing up for the July 15 primary elections.

//

Politics is a mind-numbing process, perhaps made worse by the endless race for president. But the adage that "all politics is local" has rarely been more true despite the headline-hogging national contest.

Local races this year could seem to be a game of elective musical chairs, in which holders of current offices seeking to climb one rung higher on the ladder.

The best example: Scott Dean resigned as Harlem mayor to seek the county commission District 4 seat; that seat opened when Lee Anderson left to run for the state House District 117; that seat opened when Barry Fleming decided to run for Congress.

But none of those candidates are running unopposed. Voters in those races, and several others across the county, will have the opportunity this summer and fall to offer their collective views on who best can govern our community. If you have questions for any of those candidates, let us know.

It all starts Monday, and it's all local.