More potential candidates appeared to express interest this in filling out the rest of former City Councillor Chuck Turner’s term, including an aide to U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville).
Candace Sealey: Applies for papers
Candace Sealey, a district liaison in Capuano’s office for Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury, has joined fifteen other potential candidates and applied for nomination papers from the city’s Elections Department. Those seeking to make it onto the Feb. 15 preliminary election ballot must gather 191 valid signatures and turn them into the department by 5 p.m. today.

Tito Jackson, a top contender for the job and former aide to Gov. Deval Patrick, turned in over 1,300 signatures on Tuesday, a week after he formally announced his candidacy.

Sealey, who is taking a leave of absence from her job, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a statement to the Reporter, Capuano said, “I am fully supportive of Candace. The people of Boston would be fortunate to have her represent them. She does a fantastic job for me, and for the residents of the 8th District.”

Other candidates who are jumping into the race include Cornell Mills, son of former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (D-Roxbury); Natalie Carithers, former aide to retiring state Rep. Willie Mae Allen (D-Mattapan); and former state Rep. Althea Garrison, a perennial candidate.

Two other potential candidates have opened up campaign committees with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance: Roxbury business owner Abdillahi “Mash” Abdirahman and Sheneal Parker of Boston, who has volunteered for several local Democratic campaigns.

The final special election, spurred by Turner’s removal from the City Council following a federal conviction, is scheduled for March 15, after the February election winnows the field. The winner will fill out the rest of Turner’s term, which runs through 2011, a Council election year.

Turner, who was a friend of Jackson’s late father, has said he would support the younger Jackson.

The other candidates who have applied for nomination papers include Anthony Baker of Roxbury; Lee Buckley of Boston; Kevin Dwire of Roxbury; Carla M. Johnson of Dorchester; Roy Owens of Roxbury; Danielle Renee Williams of Roxbury; David James Wyatt of Roxbury; James Carr of Fenway; and Charles Omekagu Williams of Dorchester.

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