In addition to Gloria Molina and Jose Huizar, three other candidates in the district are vowing for a council seat. Third generation Boyle Heights resident and social worker Nadine Momoyo Diaz, political consultant John O’Neill, and activist and union organizer Mario Chavez all qualified for the March election.

To date, four of the five candidates have confirmed participation at next month’s forum, led in part by Boyle Heights Beat youth reporters.

The forum, which will be held at the Boyle Heights City Hall, will consist of a town hall-like format, with the community able to participate in the event. A moderator will help guide the meeting, and candidates will be allotted a certain amount of time to respond to questions.

Huizar, who was first elected in 2005, was overwhelmingly elected in 2007 and 2011. Molina, who has served two decades on the Board of Supervisors, served one term on the City Council after she was elected in 1987.

According to the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission at the end of third quarter 2014, Huizar had already raised nearly $735,000. Molina, who just announced her candidacy in September, has raised $32,575.