Though Aug. 8 -- the deadline to run for office -- seems eons away, the council races I cover are finally heating up.

It's just a notch above lukewarm now that I got a press release from Joe Rivero (not the one already on the council) announcing his candidacy.

This means that it will be a three-person contest for two seats. Lesa Rasmussen and Gary Frago are the incumbents and now Rivero has tossed his name in.

In the press release, Rivero noted that he defeated two incumbents when he ran for Atwater City Council in 1998.

For a moment, I thought Frago and Rasmussen would be unopposed and stroll into office.

Up in Livingston, Daniel Varela pulled papers to run for mayor, the only one to do so.

I'd be surprised if Mayor Gurpal Samra doesn't run to keep his seat, though he's remained mum on whether he'll try to serve another term.