With eight months to go before the June primary election, a race may already be shaping up for Nevada County clerk-recorder, a post currently held by Gregory Diaz.

Republican Barry Pruett has taken out notice of intent papers, a prerequisite to forming a committee to gather funds for a campaign. Formal declarations of candidacy will be filed from Feb. 15 to March 12.

“We're just exploring the opportunity right now to see if there is interest in the county for a different clerk,” said Pruett on Tuesday. “I think some improvements can be done to the office.” He did not elaborate.

Pruett, who is an attorney, lives with his wife, Kim, and their two daughters in Alta Sierra. Kim Pruett is the Nevada County field representative for newly elected Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove.

Pruett said his Republican registration should not be a factor. “What matters is honesty and integrity,” he said. His campaign experience is limited, tracing back to Indiana, where he lost a race for a township advisory board.

Diaz said he was “absolutely” running again next year, hoping to get elected for the first time in Nevada County. He lost a bid to then-County Clerk Kathleen Smith in 2006, but was later appointed when she resigned in 2007. Smith resigned under strange circumstances when it was discovered that she was also serving as the city clerk of Rio Vista. The Nevada County Board of Supervisors eventually asked for her resignation.

Diaz served for eight years as the city and county of San Francisco's clerk-recorder, and four years there as assistant clerk-recorder. He lives outside of Nevada City.

“Pretty much my career has been in these offices,” Diaz said of his San Francisco and Nevada County backgrounds. “I'm registered as decline to state and always have been,” Diaz said.

As for Pruett's possible candidacy, Diaz said, “It's democracy in action. It's all part of the process.”

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.