Two candidates are running to replace Moreno Valley Councilwoman Victoria Baca in a Nov. 4 recall election.

Voters in District 5 will be asked two questions: should she be recalled, and if a majority say yes, who should replace her. Vying to fill the remainder of her term are Dolores LaDonna Jempson, a human resources manager, and Donovan Saadiq, a flight operations officer.

The deadline was 5:30 p.m. Wednesday for candidates to complete their filing for the seat. Former Councilman Bill Batey, who had previously held the seat, also took out candidacy papers but never completed them, according to the city clerk’s office.

The County Registrar of Voters determined in late June that recall organizers in the district gathered enough signatures from registered voters to force a recall election. It was the second try by residents in the past year. An effort that began last fall was discontinued when organizers felt they did not have enough valid signatures.

Recall organizers have accused Baca of neglecting the needs of her council district.

Baca has said that she continues to do the job that voters elected her to do.

The recall is part of a continued effort by crtitics to remove incumbents after federal and district attorney investigators raided the homes of four council members, including Baca’s, last year. No one has been arrested or charged with any crimes from the raids and officials have not announced any new developments in the investigation for months.

Baca’s district covers the southwest portion of the city, bordering I-215 on the west, the city limits at Cactus Avenue at the south, Ironwood Avenue at the north and Heacock Street to the east.

The recall election will make for a crowded ballot. Moreno Valley voters will also choose council members in Districts 2 and 4, decide on ballot measures on term limits and the selection of the city’s mayor.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9558 or ighori@pe.com