   Jim Gardiner isn’t saying why he’s running, just that he is.
“It’s not a story right now. I did file. I’ll have more to say when I make a formal announcement.�
   Gardiner was, of course, referring to his desire to run for SLO County Sheriff, again. The last time he did was in 1998 when he lost a close race after a run-off to challenger Pat Hedges, then a lieutenant in the sheriff’s department. Gardiner, now 57, was SLO Police Chief at the time. Soon after the election, he retired from the police force. Since then, he and his wife Elaine have been busy with community affairs and causes.
   Hedges, who ran unopposed in 2002, told New Times recently he was aware that Gardiner might be an opponent. Despite the closeness of the 1998 contest, many people believe that one reason Gardiner lost was that he didn’t have the endorsement of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Candidates start filing for the June 6 primary on February 14.
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2006.