In just 177 days Manteca voters will elect a mayor to a four-year term.

And even though the filing period hasn’t officially opened, the race’s first official event gets underway Monday at 6:30 p.m. when the South San Joaquin Republicans stage a local candidates’ night starting at 6:30 p.m. at Chez Shari restaurant at the golf course, 305 North Union Road. An informal meet and greet starts at 6 p.m.

Among those speaking are mayoral candidates for both Manteca and Lathrop in the Nov. 2 election.

Incumbent Willie Weatherford and Ben Cantu are the Manteca mayoral hopefuls who will be present. Samuel Anderson, who has declared his intention to run, hasn’t confirmed whether he will be present.

Both Weatherford and Cantu are retired City of Manteca employees and both are members of the Manteca Kiwanis service club. Weatherford served as Manteca’s police chief while Cantu was a senior planner.

Lathrop Mayor Kristy Sayles and challenger Steve Dresser also will address those in attendance. Lathrop elects mayors to two-year terms.

The keynote speaker is Rita Stolp who is serving as the coordinator of the TEA Party movement in San Joaquin County. She will share how people can join the TEA party movement.

Three District 11 Congressional hopefuls - Tony Amador, Elizabeth Emken, and Brad Goehring - have confirmed they will speak. The congressional primary is June 8.

Also in attendance will be District 18 Congressional candidate Mike Berryhill.

Three District 14 State Senate hopefuls also will speak. They are Bret De St. Jeor, Heidi Fuller, and Tom Berryhill.

Pastor Gordon Richardson of the Tabernacle of Praise will do the invocation.

There is no charge to attend.