L.A. Times reports on lack of small-town candidates

The Los Angeles Times reports that some small towns had a shortage of candidates for local office in the November 2009 election.

"State officials and political scientists say finding candidates has always been a problem for small towns and rural communities, but the recession has made it particularly tough this year," reports P.J. Huffstutter.

Huffstutter quotes Marty Newell, chief operating officer of the Center for Rural Strategies, in her November 3, 2009, article.

"It's a very scary time out there, economically," Marty told the Times. "They're under the gun with their own finances, let alone being responsible for their town's financial health."