By Karen Yi | NJ Advance Media

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With less than two months to go until Newark's municipal elections, the final roster of candidates is bringing back some familiar faces eager to jump back into the fray and breaking old alliances.

At least five people who have held elected office before in the city want back into politics and two former city workers are challenging their ex-boss for his seat. Others who were once supported by Mayor Ras Baraka are running on his opponent's slate.

There are 39 candidates who were certified for the city's May 8 elections -- in which all nine council seats and the mayor's term are up.

Newark is in control of its schools after 22 years under state takeover. New brands like Whole Foods are coming to town, and there's an increased appetite among developers saying yes to Newark. As residents in the changing city debate the need for affordable housing, safer streets and higher-paying jobs, a crowded field of politicians is fighting for the chance to lead the way.

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Only two are facing off in the race for mayor.

Baraka is seeking re-election after four years of welcoming several new development projects in the city and being named a possible contender for Amazon's second headquarters.

He's running on a slate with every incumbent City Council member except one: Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins, who is challenging the mayor.

Chaneyfield-Jenkins is running her own slate, "Leadership through Integrity," of mostly women, including four candidates who previously held public office and one member of the Newark School Board.

She previously served as an at-large councilwoman from 1995-2006 and ran on Baraka's 2014 ticket when she was elected to represent the Central Ward.

In the last year, though, she has often been the lone "no" vote on Baraka-sponsored initiatives such as his efforts to push an inclusionary zoning ordinance mandating 20 percent affordable units in new housing and the city's transition to the state's health insurance plan.

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Incumbent At-Large Council members Mildred Crump, Luis Quintana, Eddie Osborne and Carlos Gonzalez are seeking re-election, and are up against three former elected officials.

That includes: former At-Large Councilwoman Bessie Walker and former North Ward Councilman Hector Corchado. Corchado was unseated by North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos in 2006. Ariagna Perello, who is also running, served as School Board chair and was backed by Baraka during her re-election bid for the board.

Running independently is hip-hop artist Dupre "Doitall" Kelly, a member of Newark-based hip-hop trio Lords of the Underground, housing advocate Victor Monterrosa and Shakima Thomas.

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West Ward Councilman Joseph McCallum Jr. is facing two challengers who were his former aides: Marcellus Allen and Artice Norvell. Another ex-aide, Louis Shockley, considered a run for mayor but did not submit petitions.

Tomecca Keyes, who is running on Chaneyfield-Jenkins' slate, is the community liaison officer for the Heart of Vailsburg Block Club Coalition. Dereck Dillard and Lavita Johnson are also vying for the West Ward seat.

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North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, a major political power broker in the city, is running against Katilia Velez, who worked for the Ironbound Community Corporation until October. Velez is aiming to be the first Latina elected to the Newark City Council and is also on Chaneyfield-Jenkins' slate.

Pablo Olivera and Hellane Freeman are also angling for the seat.

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South Ward Councilman John Sharpe James, the son of former Mayor Sharpe James, is facing two challengers for his seat. Terrance Bankston, who served as a consultant for former Mayor Cory Booker, and Khalil Kettles.

Booker, now a U.S. Senator for New Jersey, rushed back to Newark last month to help Baraka submit 13,000 petitions for mayor and announce his endorsement of the entire Team Baraka, including James.

Chaneyfield-Jenkins' slate does not include a South Ward candidate.

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East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador, who was first elected in 1998, is facing off against a slew of challengers. Among them: School Board member Crystal Fonseca, who was once backed by Baraka during the school board elections in 2015. Fonseca is not seeking re-election to the board and instead is running on Chaneyfield-Jenkins' slate. She's also the daughter of Pablo Fonseca, the campaign manager for Chaneyfield-Jenkins.

Also in the running is Tanisha Garner, Jonathan Seabra and Anthony Campos, the former city police chief who retired after a 30-year tenure with a $453,000 payout. Campos served briefly as chief in 2006 and was re-appointed to the position in 2014 by Baraka.

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With incumbent Central Ward Councilwoman Chaneyfield-Jenkins seeking the mayor's seat, the field is open with nine candidates vying for votes. LaMonica McIver, a former student of Baraka and the personnel director for Montclair Public Schools, is running on Team Baraka. Rason Hasan, a former School Board member who was backed by Baraka at the time, is running on Chaneyfield Jenkins' slate.

Those running independently include Rafael Brito, Luther Roberson, Czezre Adams, Jaime Gonzalez, Shawn McCray, Basil Parker and Anthony Diaz.

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More on Newark elections:

Newark fought for this for 22 years. Why are some now walking away?

This fight between politicians could be N.J.'s nastiest of 2018

Booker raced back to N.J. after shutdown vote to help an ex-rival

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[Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed Katilia Velez's employment, she no longer works at the Ironbound Community Corporation.]

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.