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COLUMBIA -- No matter when the District II city council election takes place, the race is already on.

Monday afternoon, Brian Newman added his name to the list of candidates lining up to run.

Newman, a Morehouse College grad, has always wanted to give back to the community, and with the opportunity to run for the seat, he knew now was the time.

Newman joins Alex Furgess, Harold "Puff" Howard and Antonio Williams, who already added their names to the ballot.

The seat opened up with little notice after former Councilman E.W. Cromartie gave his resignation after the announcement he was pleading guilty to tax evasion charges.

The city agreed to hold an election on April 6, along with the already planned mayoral election.

However, that move heads to court Thursday after a lawsuit was filed by Paul Denman, District II resident, saying there isn't enough time for candidates to run a full campaign.

Related Links:

POLL - Delaying District II Election - Monday, March 15, 2010
Vote in our daily web poll. 
Media turned away from Cromartie community meeting  -  Friday, March 12, 2010
There is more fallout Friday after former City Councilman E.W. Cromartie announced his resignation due to the fact he is facing tax evasion charges.
Residents discuss Columbia Council controversy  -  Thursday, March 11, 2010
Up for discussion is everything from the city's finances, to the recent resignation of Councilman E.W. Cromartie earlier this week.
Council selects April 6 to fill vacant seat  -  Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Columbia City Council members met Wednesday morning to discuss when the election should be held to replace disgraced former councilman E.W. Cromartie, who resigned Tuesday.
Councilman resigns from city council  -  Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Just Monday, Cromartie agreed to plead guilty to federal tax evasion charges.
Councilman to plead to tax evasion, resign  -  Monday, March 08, 2010
Columbia City Councilman E.W. Cromartie II has agreed to plead guilty to federal tax evasion charges and could face up to 25 years in prison.
RAW Interview - Finlay on Cromartie tax evasion  -  Monday, March 08, 2010