If you’re going into politics around these parts, you’d best acquaint yourself with the finer points of electronic surveillance.

It’s beginning to look like it’s part of the job description.

After the famous — some would say infamous — escapades of State Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale, who wore a wire for the FBI in their investigation of gambling-related corruption in the Alabama Legislature, we now get another dose coming up in the next few months.

Our next contestant is Kimberly Mayor Craig Harris, who has already had his share of headlines regarding his conflicts with the city council over advances on his pay, personal use of a city-owned vehicle and other issues, has also been wearing a wire for the Feds. And, wonder of wonders, it’s related to illegal gambling. Boy, there’s a surprise.

The facts in this case are in considerable dispute, but this much we know so far: Harris says he was approached by persons who wanted to set up illegal bingo or slot machines in some houses in Kimberly, and they offered him bribes to keep the local police out of the way. Harris says he immediately went to the FBI and reported the bribe, and that agency then enlisted him in an investigation, which involved him recording the bribes being offered and paid.

Already one of the nine people involved has copped a plea: Daniel “Boone” Stone, who was a partner in the failed IGA supermarket in Kimberly. Eight others are listed in Stone’s plea agreement but not named, as the investigation continues and sealed indictments are prepared for a grand jury.

If any of this sounds familiar, it should. Beason and another state legislator essentially did the same thing in Montgomery.

So if you are contemplating running for a city office this fall, you might want to brush up on your spy techniques. Make sure you don’t wear something too form-fitting, or else the wire will show.

Meanwhile, let’s get ready to hold our breath over what transpires over the next few months.