Standing in front of the boarded-up CVS at Snelling and University avenues, Cole Hanson uses a manual grabber arm to pick up trash as he tells the camera his father grew up in the same political ward where Hanson attended college and is raising his own daughter.

“We’ve got some challenges in the neighborhood,” said Hanson, explaining in his new campaign video that he carries Narcan, an emergency opioid treatment, when he rides public transit. “I believe it should be easier to start a business here in St. Paul, especially if you’re following all the rules.”

Hanson, president of the Hamline-Midway Coalition, has launched his candidacy for the soon-to-be-vacated Ward 4 seat on the St. Paul City Council, in a race whose timeline still remains uncertain. Whether Election Day lands in August or September remains to be seen, but he already has company on the campaign trail.

Molly Coleman, a graduate of Harvard Law School and founder of the advocacy organization the People’s Parity Project, announced her candidacy for the Ward 4 seat on Tuesday, as well. Coleman, the daughter of former St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, said she is raising her son in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood and supports “affordable and market-rate housing options” and “high quality core services.”

“St. Paul is the greatest city in the country. That’s why I am raising my family here,” said Coleman, in a campaign statement. “Now more than ever before, I’m seeing people losing faith in democracy. I am running for City Council because I know that the best thing we can do to fight that lack of faith at the federal level is to make a real difference locally — and that means making sure people can build the lives they dream of right here in St. Paul.”

Cristen Incitti, president and chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, threw her hat into the proverbial ring for the Ward 4 seat in late February, according to her social media posting on the website LinkedIn. “My policy priorities are focused on housing, economic development, and public safety for everyone,” she wrote, calling herself a “leader who is progressive and practical” and acutely focused on housing issues.

More candidates for the open seat are likely.

Mitra Jalali, who has held the Ward 4 seat since a special election in 2018, served for a year as council president before announcing in January that she would step down from office out of concern for her health. Her last day of city employment is expected to be March 8. The city council will accept applications and résumés for an interim council member through March 13, and appoint her temporary replacement on March 26.

Once Jalali’s departure is official, the city will work with Ramsey County Elections on scheduling a special election for the Ward 4 seat, which is required by the city charter within 180 days of the seat becoming vacant. That would likely land an election around August. The winner of that contest is expected to serve through 2028 as a result of the city’s voter-approved shift to even-year council and mayoral elections.

The ward spans Hamline-Midway, Merriam Park, St. Anthony Park and parts of Macalester-Groveland and Como.