Eight candidates are running to replace New Orleans City Councilmember Oliver Thomas in a district that represents New Orleans East and parts of the Lower 9th Ward.
Thomas is departing the district to run for mayor. Though 11 people signed up to succeed him after a three-day qualifying period closed in July, three have since dropped out or been disqualified.
Those still in are the Rev. Richard Bell, a pastor; Danyelle Christmas, a dental assistant; Nathaniel Jones, an educator, Willie Morgan, a dean at an alternative high school; Gavin Richard, a public defense attorney; and Jonathan Anthony Roberts, a Marine Corp retiree. Jones did not return multiple requests for an interview…