The race to replace San Diego City Council President Sherri Lightner got more crowded Friday, as a member of Lightner's staff pulled papers to appear on the ballot in June.
Kyle Heiskala is Lightner's representative to University City and a policy advisor on infrastructure and transportation issues. The city clerk announced his action on Twitter Friday afternoon.
Lightner cannot run in District 1 again because of term limits. On Thursday her husband, Bruce Lightner, entered the race as well.
District 1, which covers Carmel Valley, La Jolla and University City, is considered the most important race in the city because it could shift control of the city council from Democrats to Republicans. Under California law, local elections are officially non-partisan.
Barbara Bry, a Democrat, and Ray Ellis, a Republican, declared their candidacies for District 1 last year. Mr. Lightner is also a Republican. Public records showed Heiskala is registered with no party preference.
A fifth candidate for the seat is Louis Rodolico, a political novice who retired a few years ago after a career as a hospital architect.
If any candidate gains an absolute majority in the election on June 7, that person wins the race outright. If there's no absolute majority, the top two candidates face off in November.
