As a teen-ager, [William Jones] began working at City Hall as a volunteer for then-Councilman Leon Williams, and over the next 10 years advanced to become Williams' administrative assistant. When Williams was elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 1982, Jones was unanimously appointed by the council to succeed him-becoming, at age 27, the youngest City Council member of a major American city. The next year, Jones was elected to a full four-year term.

Declared or potential candidates in the race include Richard "Tip" Calvin, a former police officer and head of a printing and publishing firm; Felipe Hueso, a transportation firm executive; Marla Marshall, the top aide to San Diego City Councilwoman Gloria McColl; Wesley Pratt, a lawyer and aide to Supervisor Williams; the Rev. George Stevens, a special assistant to Rep. Jim Bates (D-San Diego) and associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, and Pete Wigfall, a county probation officer.

PHOTO: Councilman William Jones takes question at Morse High School. Jones talks with Morse High seniors Steve Minor, center, and Bruce Banks after giving speech. / VINCE COMPAGNONE / Los Angeles Times