A field of 11 ex-politicians, community leaders and others have entered the race for the City Council seat representing Kailua, Kane'ohe and Waimanalo.

Yesterday was the deadline to file to run for the City Council seat left vacant by the death of councilwoman Barbara Marshall. Those filing by the deadline now have 44 days to make their case to area voters as the best choice to succeed Marshall, who died Feb. 22 following a battle with cancer.

The outcome of the race is viewed as pivotal for determining whether the balance of power on the council continues to favor strong supporters of Mayor Mufi Hannemann. Whoever fills that seat also is expected to play a key role on ongoing issues such as Honolulu's planned $5.4 billion commuter rail and the continued use of the Waimanalo Gulch landfill.

As with any election, name recognition and strong financial backing will be key attributes for City Council candidates. That's likely to favor former council members John Henry Felix and Steve Holmes. Felix previously served on the City Council from 1988 to 2002. Holmes served on the council for 12 years starting in 1991.

Those two are joined by:

• Paul Akau, who listed a Waimanalo address.

• Ikaika Anderson, a former Marshall aide.

• Tracy Nakano Bean, who listed a Kane'ohe address.

• Waimanalo Neighborhood Board Chairman Wilson Kekoa Ho.

• Leona Mapuana Kalima, who listed a Waimanalo address.

• Keoki Leong, a former chairman of the Kane'ohe Neighborhood Board.

• Sol Nalua'i, who listed a Honolulu address.

• Tom Pico Jr., a former city deputy prosecutor.

• Pohai Ryan, who listed a Kailua address.

Yesterday, Marshall's husband, Cliff Ziems, announced his endorsement of Anderson as a successor to her council seat.

The special election to fill Marshall's former seat will be conducted primarily as a vote-by-mail election. The city is scheduled to mail out ballots to District 3 voters on or about April 3. The deadline for ballots to be returned to the city clerk will be April 23. The winner of the election is expected to be announced that evening.

No polling places will be open on April 23. However, walk-in voting sites are expected to be available from April 6 through April 21.