Who says local politics lack flavor, with statments such as this, from Austin King? "Here's what Kami says, 'King specifically went on record and said that—'if you drink, you rape,' are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?'”

The race for 8th District alder of Madison's Common Council has been heating steadily during the past several months. It pits the incumbent, King, against opponents Ryan Corcoran, who works for the non–profit organization, Dreamweavers, and Kami Eshraghi, who owns the Capitol Square's Kimia Lounge, and whose recent move to the district sparked the initial controversy.

King continues, (There's been some mudslinging.) "Of course there has been, and—you know what? That's what you do when you don't have record to run on and you have no ideas."

Eshraghi explains, " I feel hurt. I have been the subject of attacks from Austin from day one, when there was rumors of me running."

Corcoran concedes, "It's just the nature of the way that a race that is this tightly–contested with three serious candidates, generally develops."

In fact, these candidates can't even agree on what they disagree…on.

Corcoran: "All three of us have issue as far as the current state of the smoking ban."

King: "All of us basically agreed on the smoking ban—so I can't see how that's a big issue."

Eshraghi: (Do you guys agree on the smoking ban?) "No we don't he sold out the district on that when he voted for the smoking ban."

But—in fewer than four days—all three feel that voters in the 8th district will be able to sift through the riff–raff.

King: "I've got two opponents who are obviously a little bit desperate for some attention—who aren't getting much traction cuz they don't have a lot of issues to talk about."

Eshraghi: "I think they feel threatened, the two of them had this perspective that Austin—maybe because his last name is 'King,' he's entitled to this position."

Corcoran: "I personally don't have any ill–will toward any of the candidates, I'm just concerned about accessibility—concerned about student issues."

The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15th.