With the high-stakes race for Toronto mayor occupying most of the media’s scrutiny, some noteworthy contests for the city’s 44 council seats are easily overlooked. And that’s a shame. Several merit extra attention, especially where credible people have stepped forward to confront well-entrenched incumbents who don’t deserve to return.

Closer to election day, the Star will list its choices for council in every ward. But today we focus on seven particularly worthy challengers, each hoping to beat the odds by overturning an established council veteran. Their campaigns merit special recognition — and deserve voters’ support:

Idil Burale, Ward 1, Etobicoke North. This bright young woman has impressive credentials as a social activist, especially in the Somali-Canadian community. She’s a former political staffer at Queen’s Park, so she understands how politics works, and has served on the Toronto police board’s Community Safety Task Force, among other key initiatives. Burale faces incumbent Vincent Crisanti (open Vincent Crisanti's policard), a diehard supporter of Mayor Rob Ford (open Rob Ford's policard). Economically hard-pressed residents of this ward would be far better served by a strong and progressive advocate.

Andray Domise, Ward 2, Etobicoke North. He has one of the toughest fights in the city but Domise has been waging a spirited campaign, first against the mayor’s nephew and now against Rob Ford himself. Ford decided to run here after being diagnosed with cancer, abandoning his faltering effort to retain the mayor’s office. Always popular in the ward, Ford now has the extra advantage of a sympathy vote. But Domise, a hard-working financial planner born in Toronto to an immigrant Jamaican family, remains a far better choice. Ford’s failures are too many to chronicle here. The ward never thrived while he was in office and it can expect even less from a man struggling with a life-threatening illness. They wouldn’t be the only losers in Ford’s return. Given the precarious state of his health, Ford would probably be better off if he lost and was spared the added stress of public life.

Nick Di Nizio, Ward 7, York West. He’s a solid contender with a background in business and some modest community involvement. But the best reason to support Di Nizio is that he stands a good chance of defeating the reprehensible incumbent, Giorgio Mammoliti (open Giorgio Mammoliti's policard). No city councillor deserves the boot more. A master of bluster and phoney grandstanding, Mammoliti was stripped of his city hall salary for 90 days after an improper mid-term fundraiser was held in his benefit. Police are now investigating.

Alex Mazer, Ward 18, Davenport. We endorsed Ana Bailao in the last election and she has been a reasonable, centrist voice at city hall. We might have endorsed her again, but there’s a stronger candidate here who would be an exceptional asset on council. Mazer is a young Harvard-educated lawyer, a respected policy adviser, and a community volunteer with a deep understanding of budget and urban issues. He’s a staunch advocate of progressive public policy and understands the mechanics of delivering it. Most notably, Mazer worked as policy director to former Ontario finance minister Dwight Duncan, playing a role in four provincial budgets. City hall needs his expertise more than it needs Bailao’s return.

Ishrath Velshi, Ward 26, Don Valley West. She’s a well-spoken candidate with a strong social conscience and years of behind-the-scenes experience at both city hall and Queen’s Park. Her campaign slogan, “Everyone deserves a voice,” speaks to the way many residents here feel marginalized. Velshi understands the ward, having worked for its out-of-touch incumbent, John Parker (open John Parker's policard), before moving on. Now she’s out to unseat her old boss and residents would be better off if she did. Also impressive is former police officer, entrepreneur and community volunteer Jon Burnside. He came close to beating Parker in 2010 and remains a sound alternative. But we favour Velshi.

Neethan Shan, Ward 42, Scarborough-Rouge River. This remarkable Tamil-Canadian has an impressive record of community service, including advocacy for children, youth and immigrants. He understands the issues confronting the city, especially its most disadvantaged people. Shan has political experience as a school board trustee when he lived in Markham. And he’s able to converse in Tamil, Hindi and Urdu, a definite advantage in one of the world’s most multicultural cities. He’s a far better choice than the hapless Raymond Cho (open Raymond Cho's policard), an inarticulate and ineffective councillor who has clung to municipal office for more than 20 years.

Diana Hall, Ward 44, Scarborough East. Hall has attempted to oust Ron Moeser (open Ron Moeser's policard) twice before. He numbers among the city’s most vacant and uninspiring councillors. And one can only hope Hall’s third try will prove the charm. She’s a thoughtful conservative who knows the ward well, having served as executive assistant to a former councillor here, Gay Cowbourne. Hall is active in the community and can’t help but be more effective than Moeser, who has one of the worst attendance records on council, missing almost 40 per cent of votes. Ill health only partially explains the extent of his absence. Ward 44 residents can do better.