2 Bob Bakers May Vie for Council Seats

Robert "Bob" Baker may end up locked in an electoral struggle with Robert "Bob" Baker in the upcoming General Election in November.

The plot of an Avant Garde existentialist film? Nope. Just two guys named Bob Baker who want to run San Clemente.

Of the five candidates who have pulled the papers necessary to file to run for two San Clemente City Council seats, two are named Bob Baker. The first, who pulled papers July 16, and the second is the challenger, who filed July 26.

The incumbent Baker is asking the Orange County Registrar of Voters to put a number "1" after his name as permitted by election law.

"The second Bob Baker hasn't filed yet," said City Clerk Joanne Baade. "It's my understanding that if he does not file, the '1' would not appear. If we have two on the ballot, then the '1' kicks in. I'd have to get a legal opinion on that."

If both Bakers appear on the ballot, there will also be a printed warning, according to the Election Code:

Warning! There are two (or applicable number) candidates for this office with identical names.

The deadline for candidates to actually file is 5 p.m. Aug. 10, so it isn't official yet that any candidate is running except Baade, the Incumbent Baker and City Treasurer T. Pall Guidgeirsson. All three were qualified to appear on the ballot by July 21.

Both Baade and Guidgeirsson are currently unopposed.

Other prospective council candidates include incumbent Jim Dahl, Michael Mortenson, David Clegg, Jim Cerrone and Christopher Hamm.