So far, five people have indicated they want to compete for two seats that will become vacant at the end of the year.

The incumbents seeking re-election are council members Sam Abed and Ed Gallo. Their challengers are Olga Diaz, who ran unsuccessfully in 2006, and Chuck Voelker and Richard Barron.

Abed, a businessman, and Gallo, a real estate agent, were allies in the failed 2006 bid to penalize landlords for renting to undocumented immigrants. Diaz, who owns Blue Mug Coffee & Tea, adamantly opposed the ordinance that was approved and later rescinded.

Voelker owns Simply Adina Floral Design, which arranges flowers for special events.

Barron is a business consultant who owns an Escondido law and consulting firm with his wife, Janathan Allen, a lawyer.

–A.L.