Not since 1988 have so many Democratic candidates announced plans to run for Charlottesville City Council.
Eight Democratic candidates, one Republican and one Independent have announced their candidacy for three seats this spring.
The large number of Democratic candidates is partly the result of a political activity surge by the newly-formed Democrats for Change, a Charlottesville community activist organization within the Democratic party.
"They have served to bring a lot of interesting ideas and a lot of energy to the party," Councilman David Toscano said. "The Democrats for Change have rallied around a lot of hot issues like the Meadowcreek Parkway issue and increasing council attention towards the poor."
The Meadowcreek Parkway, designed to alleviate traffic congestion on Route 29, will be a two-mile road connecting Rio Road and the Route 250 Bypass.
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Peter Kleeman, a Council candidate endorsed by Democrats for Change, said the current system goes against theories of American democracy, since the city's executive powers are held by a city manager who is not popularly elected.
But Toscano said he does not think this is a necessary change.
"This would require a charter change which would have to go before the General Assembly. There are many specifics that have not been provided yet," he said.
Dale McGlothin, chairman of the city's Republican party, said he believes the direct election of the mayor would be a positive change.
The Democrats will pick their nominating delegates in the Democratic Mass Meeting at Charlottesville High School this Monday. These delegates will nominate the Democratic candidates Feb. 26.
The Republicans also hope to secure Council seats and should not be counted out of this election, McGlothin said. He said the large number of Democrats running for election shows there is a need for change.
"The Republicans' chances are excellent; [they have] never been better. There are many people who want to break up the Democrats' monopoly," he added. "People are recognizing that we can't keep running blind and create policy by just following whoever can scream the loudest."
Engineering Prof. John Pfaltz is now the only announced candidate running as a Republican.
Toscano said chances are slim for having a Republican Council member. "If a voter votes for a Republican and then has to use his two remaining votes for two Democrats, he will end up canceling out his vote twice," he said.
The City Council General Election will be held May 2.
Council members Meredith Richards and Maurice Cox are running for reelection, but current Mayor and Councilwoman Virginia Daugherty will not seek another term.
Two years ago, three Democratic candidates ran for two seats, and four years ago, five Democratic candidates ran for three seats.
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