The race for the open SLO City Council seat is heating up as voters prepare to receive their mail-in ballots in the coming weeks. John Spatafore recently bowed out of the race citing fears of splintering the vote between himself and Carlyn Christianson. Christianson has received the endorsement of The Tribune along with support from Mayor Jan Marx, Councilman John Ashbaugh and the SLO County Democratic Party. Paul Brown just received support from Andrew Carter, the former city council member whose seat is currently up for grabs. Current council members Dan Carpenter and Kathy Smith are also throwing their support behind the former business owner. Donald Hedrick and Kevin P. Rice – who is enjoying the recent endorsement of Grover Beach Mayor Debbie Peterson — continue to closely engage in the public dialogue, attending Council meetings and reminding voters what they stand for.