11:00pm Sunday | How early is too early to begin discussing a City Council race?

Whatever the case, let the debate begin as one challenger is already considering a run for the 3rd District seat when it becomes available in… wait for it… 2014.

Bill Orton, a representative in the Long Beach District office of State Senator Roderick Wright, announced on Facebook over the weekend that he could possibly campaign for the Long Beach City Council district that encompasses portions of East Long Beach such as Naples Island, Belmont Shore and Wilson High School.

Orton wrote on the Facebook page, entitled Bill Orton Explores Council, that he will think about the decision for the next two years.

Thanks for adding this page, which appears to be a personal page, but is the official FB page for BILL ORTON EXPLORES COUNCIL. I will spend the next two years weighing a run in the 3rd District of Long Beach. A public announcement of the formation of an FPPC committee and outreach will begin later this year. This will be an all-volunteer effort and all are welcome. — Bill

The 3rd District seat was up for election just recently in April 2010, as incumbent Gary DeLong won his second term with more than 60% of the vote over two challengers. DeLong would have to run as a write-in candidate if he decides to give it another go for 2014. Two incumbent councilmembers ran unsuccessful write-in campaigns in 2010.

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