Bell picks up one challenger; Clement to gain his third

Mayor Bill Bell got a not-unexpected challenger on Friday, with Steven Williams getting into the race.

Williams initially ran against Bell in 2005 but withdraw; the H-S cites family reasons, the N&O cites his residence having been just outside the city limits at the time. The Walltown native and graduate of Hillside High and St. Augustine's College, currently the Americas logistics manager for a high-tech company in the region, cites crime, economc growth and youth as key platform elements.

Williams certified that he'd spend less than $3,000 on the race. Frankly, after sitting City Councilman Thomas Stith couldn't defeat Bell after spending well into the six figures two years ago, it's difficult to imagine circumstances under which hizonner would be vulnerable, save for some muni-pocalyptic event.

Meantime, BCR has learned that the crowded Ward 2 race -- which already features Pastor Sylvester Williams and libertarian Matt Drew challenging the quarter-century-plus tenure of Howard Clement -- will see at least one more challenger.

While as yet unannounced, the fourth entrant in Clement's district comes even as Ward 1's Cora Cole-McFadden and Ward 3's Mike Woodard have attracted no challengers.

Keep an eye out next week for more entrants -- because with one week remaining to file, this race is by no means over.