ESCONDIDO — Seven candidates in three races have pulled papers for various offices in the city.
Incumbent city council members Olga Diaz and Mike Morasco each have announced their bids for re-election in Districts 3 and 4, respectively.
The challengers, so far, are Pastor Jose (Joe) Garcia and attorney Ingrid Rainey in Districts 3 and 4, respectively.
A trio of Escondido residents, meanwhile, is bidding for city treasurer. Incumbent Kenneth Hugins is being challenged by Douglas Shultz, a financial planner, and John Trudell, a certified public accountant.
Morasco, the deputy mayor, was appointed to the council in 2010 and was elected in 2012 and won re-election in 2014.
Diaz, meanwhile, was elected to the council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. She lost her mayoral bid in 2014, but is the first-ever Latina elected to the council.
The filing period began on July 18 and runs through Aug. 12, unless an incumbent does not file the paperwork. Should an incumbent not file, the deadline extends to Aug. 17.
Candidates must pay a $25 fee to file or gather 100 signatures to be certified.
Early voting commences Oct. 10, the voter registration deadline is Oct. 24 and the election is Nov. 8.
