Nine potential candidates have shown interest in running in Long Beach’s primary nominating election on April 12, 2016, in which four city council seats are up for grabs.

After the candidate nomination period began yesterday, December 21, the nine potential candidates filed statements of intention, known as 501 forms, with the city clerk’s office. Candidates have until January 15 to submit official nomination papers, including at least 20 valid signatures from the district they are running in, to qualify as a candidate.

Potential candidates for District 2 are businessman Eric Gray, labor advocate Jeannine Pearce and businesswoman Joen Garnica; for District 4 are incumbent Daryl Supernaw and public defender Jonathan Paz; and for District 6 are incumbent Dee Andrews, U.S. Navy veteran and community activist Robert Harmon and local nonprofit director Erik Miller. For District 8, incumbent Al Austin is so far running unopposed.