Former three-time City Council Chairman Yusuf Hakeem said he is "very strongly" looking at running in the election next March to seek to take back his District 9 council seat.
And some other names from the past may come into play.
Former State Senator Ward Crutchfield and former City Councilman and County Commissioner William Cotton are among those mentioned for District 7. Both were convicted in the Tennessee Waltz federal corruption sting.
Former Senator Crutchfield has gotten his rights restored, and Mr. Cotton recently applied to regain his voting rights. Election officials said Mr. Cotton must still fill out the proper paperwork.
Moses Freeman, longtime city official who retired several years ago, has filed papers to name a treasurer for the District 8 race. The councilman for that district, Andrae McGary, is running for the state Senate.
Mr. Hakeem, who left the council in January 2006 to go on the state Board of Parole, said, "I've gotten a lot of encouragement from a broad cross-section of people. I will try to make a decision in the next couple of weeks."
He said, "The district has changed some, but I have served every part of the current district either while on the school board from 1981-1990 or on the City Council beginning with the new form of city government in 1990."
Mr. Hakeem added, "I do feel I can be of service to the community."
He said he has notified state officials that he is considering the race. He said it is his understanding that he could stay on the state board during the campaign, but he said if elected he would resign his state job.
Demetrus Menifee has filed papers to name a treasurer for the District 9 contest.
Peter Murphy is the current councilman for the majority-minority District 9. An attorney, he was often cited as an example of a white candidate who was able to win in a majority black district.
Manny Rico, 67, plans to run for re-election in District 7 where both former Senator Crutchfield and Mr. Cotton reside. Chris Anderson, a Democratic activist, has already been raising money for that race.
Jack Benson, at 82, is planning another campaign for his District 4 seat. Larry Grohn, who attends all City Council sessions, is expected to run. Thomas Tomisek and Ryan King have filed papers to name treasurers for District 4.
Incumbent Carol Berz has filed a campaign treasurer for District 6.
Sept. 21 is the first day candidates can pick up qualifying petitions for the city election.