Nobody seems to like elected officials all that much, yet there never seems to be a shortage of folks who want to become one. The deadline to file for candidacy for the coming election cycle was this week and Tacoma's local elections are jammed packed with aspiring citizens.

All four of the expiring Tacoma City Council seats are being contested. The most intense of those four is likely to be Position 1, being vacated by Spiro Manthou. The race pits 25-year-old activist and politico Anders Ibsen against long-time mover and shaker Karen Smitherman.

Smitherman, the wife of long-time Washington State Rep. and Senator Bill Smitherman, has what feels like a 10-page resume of community service and looks to have the Tacoma's "old-guard" political community in her corner. Her websites boasts endorsements from, among others, Rep. Jeannie Darneille, Rep. Art Wang and former Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma.

Ibsen, no slouch in the community service department, is an active member of North End Neighborhood Council and until recently served as Vice-Chair of the Pierce Conservation District.

Challenging David Boe for Position 7 is Mike Hardy, a local AMVET (American Veterans) Post Commander who says he is concerned the council's attention and resources are too focused on downtown and should be spread throughout the city. Boe, an architect, musician and thespian, is popular among his peers and will be tough to beat. But Hardy says he plans on raising money and campaigning every day.

Tacoma City Council members Lauren Walker and Ryan Mello (holding Positions 3 and 8, respectively) have the good fortune (sarcasm) of drawing the town jokers. Walker is being challenged by Robert "the Traveller" Hill, whose pastimes include impersonating elected official's staff members, bringing toy guns to council meetings and hanging out with Matt Driscoll (story here).

Mello will face Will Baker, who may be the only person in Tacoma kicked out of as many council meetings as Hill. Baker's rap sheet includes being jailed for harassing politicians and duping the State Republican Party into supporting his candidacy for State Auditor.

The other high profile positions up for grabs this fall are Positions 3 and 5 on the Tacoma School Board.

Recently vacated by Jim Dugan, Tacoma School Board Position 3 has attracted a talented field, perhaps highlighted by Dexter Gordon, a Communications and African American Studies professor at UPS and activist, and Scott Heinze, former staffer for Congressman Adam Smith and policy advisor to Governor Christine Governor.

Kim Golding, who is seeking reelection, currently holds Tacoma School Board Position 5. She's being challenged by three opponents, most notably Karen Vialle, the first female mayor of Tacoma and a long-time educator.

With so many open seats and quality candidates it's going to be an intense six months on the local campaign trail. Primary ballots drop in about six weeks. Ready ... GO!