Bryant, who represents Camden, has long raised money and lent other support to City Council candidates backed by the Camden County Democratic organization. State and federal authorities are investigating whether he used his position to enrich himself in other publicly funded jobs he held.
Elections here have added significance because of Camden's status as the poorest city in America. Because of its poverty and crime, it needs vast amounts of public resources to survive.
Though the race is nonpartisan, candidates usually are either organization-backed or independent.
Democratic organization candidates are running under the slogan "Empower the People; Rebuild the Neighborhoods." Those candidates are: for Ward 1, Dana Burley, a state Assembly clerk; Ward 2, William Spearman, incumbent; Ward 3, Frank Moran, incumbent; Ward 4, Angel Fuentes, incumbent and Council president.
The challengers are running under the slogan "Change the Leadership and Empower the People." They are: Ward 1, Vance Bowman, city Redevelopment Agency member; Ward 2, Brian Coleman, a computer technician; Ward 3, Eulisis Delgado, Delaware River Port Authority worker; Ward 4, Carmen Ubarry-Rivera, a parent outreach worker at LEAP Academy.
