Urban planner Cary Moon is the latest addition to a newly competitive mayors race.
Urban planner Cary Moon is the latest addition to a newly competitive mayor's race. nate gowdy

Incumbent Ed Murray and six other candidates for mayor will answer questions at a panel in North Seattle Thursday night, the first public forum for this race since two well-known Seattle leaders announced their campaigns this week.

The forum, hosted by the 46th District Democrats, happens at the Seattle Mennonite Church (3120 NE 125th St.) at 7 pm.

All the most credible candidates in the mayoral race (plus a few others) have confirmed: Murray, Nikkita Oliver, Mike McGinn, Cary Moon, Andres Salomon, Jason Roberts, and Mary Martin.

Despite Oliver's early challenge from the left, Murray was expected to be in a strong position to win re-election until the Seattle Times broke the news that he is facing allegations of sexually abusing children. (Murray denies the allegations.) McGinn and Moon both entered the race this week and we may see even more candidates jump in before the May 19 filing deadline.

Almost all of the candidates for both citywide Seattle City Council positions will be at the forum, too.

In Position 9, incumbent Lorena González and Eric Smiley plans to attend. UPDATE: Organizers say González is no longer attending the forum.

For the crowded Position 8 race—the seat is open because Council Member Tim Burgess is retiring—eight candidates say they'll attend: Jon Grant, Teresa Mosqueda, Sheley Secrest, Mac McGregor, Charlene Strong, Ryan Asbert, and Hisam Goueli, Jennifer Huff.

Expect brief opening statements and then questions about housing, homelessness, and environmental issues. Organizers do not plan to ask about the sexual abuse allegations.