San Jose officials are at a crossroads over how to fill the City Council seat left vacant by Omar Torres’ stunning Election Day arrest and resignation — and several potential contenders want to take his place.

City leaders in the next several weeks will decide whether to replace Torres in a special election or appointment, the latter of which would be voted in by the council majority. Either route could tip the scales of power in a city balancing labor and business interests.

While the city hasn’t officially opened a nomination period, several residents are considering the open District 3 seat to represent the downtown core, including Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley Executive Director Gabriela Chavez-Lopez.

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