Sandoval is alerting people to the fact that he's running for Assessor. The election will be in November; if there's an incumbent, it will be an appointed incumbent, as Mabel Teng has resigned. The Mayor can appoint someone, but they will face an immediate election (not re-election.)

Should the Mayor appoint Sandoval, the Mayor would also be able to appoint Sandoval's replacement, who wouldn't face an election until - we BELIEVE - November 2006. (I could be wrong on that.) If the Mayor appoints someone else, or nobody, and Sandoval wins, the Mayor will appoint Sandoval's replacement in January 2006, when Sandoval takes office - and they would face an election to win the seat in their own right in November 2006.

We gave Chris a call (being a creepy fanboy has its priveleges) since he's already expressed his concern over Jake McGoldrick's apparent move toward the happy, Gavvy middle, and he said that Gerardo assured him that he would not be seeking the Mayor's appointment -- and can't be appointed against his will. His aide let us know that the assessor makes around $165,000, which would be nearly double his salary as a supervisor. While Chris is worried how this might affect the board, he also pointed out that he will endorse Gerardo even though he already endorsed Code Pink activist Vicki Leidner -- he'll just endorse them both!

As Drudge himself would say...DEVELOPING...

Update: Alex says he got the scoop at 12:45, which is the exactly the same time that Pat states his announcement went up (though the Sentinel email bulletin was stamped 1:00). Take it outside, boys!

Update: We have some unconfirmed news on double super secret background from a confidential source that Peskin will endorse Sandoval, and our source suggested that Gavin "Boy Wonder" Newsom will catch flack for not appointing acting Assessor Donna Kotake's replacement sooner, as Sandoval has a great shot at beating any appointment Gavin picks now. That's sure to piss off people like Gerardo's nemesis Don Fisher.

Update: Alex Clemens reports that the Gavster will be making an appointment on Friday or Monday, and Gerardo says he'll turn down an offer of an appointment. Appoint us, Gavin! Pretty please!