It has been a week of comings and goings in the race for City Attorney.

Last Wednesday, Jan. 16, District 5 City Councilmember Brian Maienschein, a Republican, confirmed that he plans to challenge current City Attorney Michael Aguirre for his post.

Two days earlier, on Jan. 14, Assistant District Attorney and Republican candidate Bill Gentry had exited the race, and rumors still abound as to whether Council President Scott Peters or former San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Alan Bersin, both Democrats, will decide to run.

Maienschein was unavailable for comment, but his chief of staff, Lance Witmondt confirmed his run but declined to say what had motivated Maienschein to throw his hat into the ring. Maienschein is, however, expected to share his reasons in a formal announcement sometime this week.

“I have been encouraged for awhile to run, and I will be doing so,” Maienschein said in remarks published on SignOnSanDiego. “The important thing is to beat Mike Aguirre. I think I have a good chance.”

Records show that the soon-to be termed out Maienschein has $251,922 in donations remaining from his 2003 campaign for a second four-year council term. Under local election rules, that money can be used to pay for a City Attorney’s race, as long as certain guidelines are followed.

Maienschein, a business attorney, who represents some of San Diego’s wealthiest neighborhoods, including Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo, is considered a moderate Republican. He is the fourth person so far vying against Aguirre, who is seeking re-election for City Attorney on the June 3 ballot. Superior Court Judge Jan Goldsmith, who Gentry backed when he dropped out of the race, has the endorsement of the local Republican Party. Lawyers Dan Coffey and Lee Burdick have also announced their intentions to run.

Candidates must file paperwork by March 6 to appear on the ballot to head up the City Attorney’s Office, which acts as the primary watchdog for ensuring that the city council and mayor act within all applicable legal bounds. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the June 6 primary, the top two candidates will face a runoff Nov. 4.

Since his term began in December 2004, Aguirre has had several political and legal battles with the city, including Mayor Jerry Sanders, City Council members and the pension board. Aguirre was unable to be reached for comment regarding the upcoming election.

However, with the exception of issues surrounding bathhouses and the closure of the 2200 Club, Aguirre is believed by many residents to be an ally to the GLBT community. He supports same-sex marriage and encouraged the Council to take a stand to consider supporting the amicus brief in support of it.

Maienschein seems to be more distant from the GLBT community – not only geographically but also in his support.

He is the only councilmember who did not participate in the 2007 San Diego LGBT Pride Parade. Maienschein – who along with his wife, Janet, has two young daughters – voted against supporting same-sex marriage and filing the amicus brief last fall.

Meanwhile, city attorney candidate Burdick wrote local television station KUSI on Jan. 17, demanding equal air time on the station as the incumbent city attorney.

“Aguirre has declared his intent to run for re-election this year, and he is using [the] station for free publicity and as a soapbox to support his re-election campaign,” Burdick said.

Aguirre has been doing the weekly feature since early in his first term in office.

The station responded to her argument, which she said is “based on federal law and principles of equity,” by booking Burdick for its morning show on Monday, Jan. 28.