The race to replace Bakersfield mayor Harvey Hall is getting crowded with a record number of candidates pulling papers to run.City Clerk Roberta Gafford says 23 people want the job, but it’s still anyone’s guess who ends up on the June 7th ballot.

Silversmith Roy Charles Keenan and physician Alex Merrill are the only two candidates who have officially qualified for the June election so far, but candidates have until March 16th to complete their paperwork and pay the $25 filing fee.

A candidate must get 50 percent of the vote plus one to avoid a November runoff.

Kelli Forsch