Three candidates – excluding incumbent Julio Tavarez – have been certified to run in the 5th Ward race on Monday afternoon, according to the city clerk’s office.

Tavarez did not turn in the petitions to qualify for a run. He was among a list of people who picked up petitions to run in the ward.

The candidates running are Wendy Guzman, Luis Velez, and Chrystal Cleaves. Guzman is a former school board member and Cleaves is currently on the board of education.

Velez said he works as an insurance underwriter.

Tavarez has had a tough time on the council. He was censured last year for making allegedly insensitive remarks on Spanish language radio programs. He has filed a lawsuit against the city, the mayor, and council members over the no-confidence vote.

Tavarez had said he plans to run for re-election when he was confronted by a member of the public earlier in the year.

Tavarez could not be reached for comments on Monday afternoon.

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