SAN DIEGO -- Candidates seeking to replace Mayor Dick Murphy in the July 26 special election filed the necessary paperwork with the San Diego City Clerk's Office Friday.

Libertarian Richard Rider, chairman of the San Diego Tax Fighters, announced Thursday that he wants the job.

Former San Diego Police Chief Jerry Sanders and businessman Steve Francis also have announced they will run for mayor, along with attorney Pat Shea and Councilwoman Donna Frye, who ran as a write-in candidate during the last election and was declared the loser because many of the people who voted for her filled out their ballots improperly.

Frye submitted her candidacy papers Thursday.

Just months after being re-elected, Murphy announced he will resign effective July 15.

A majority winner in the July 26 election would serve the duration of Murphy's term, which expires in December 2008. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff election.

The City Clerk's Office will verifty the signatures on the petition by noon on Wednesday, then later that afternoon, they'll have a random drawing to decide the order of the candidates.

Candidates who have filed:

Donna Frye
Jerry Sanders
Ed Kolker
Michael Hill
Jim Bell
Michael Shelby
Richard Rider
Kent Mesplay
Thomas Knapp
Steve Francis
Shawn A. McMillan
Mac Sperry
Patrick Shea
Jeremy Ledford
Les Swazzo