Elections for Cambridge City Council are more than five months away, but already there's no shortage of candidates and campaigning.

Council elections have been dominated in recent years by the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA), which endorses pro-rent control, "good government" policies and throws its weight behind certain candidates.

Recent conflicts within the Cambridge City Council have prompted city politicians to form new political alliances, and instability attributed to the Cambridge Civic Association by many independents has prompted several young candidates to enter the race.

Five of the candidates for next year's city council seats are under 30 years old. These candidates, all of whom are running as independents, say they are distressed by the current city government and hope to make changes in the way the council is run next year. And they're already out knocking on doors and holding signs during rush hour.

James MCSweeney, 29, who finished 12th in the 1991 council race, says he believes the tendency of CCA-endorsed candidates to vote in a block causes them to become "pigeon-holed into a particular group philosophy."

MCSweeney said his position as an independent should not be interpreted to mean that he is of a particular political philosophy.

"My focus is more on fiscal responsibility. There's a philosophy that government has to do all things for all people," he said, adding, "Everyone thinks if you throw money at a problem it will go away."

MCSweeney is not alone in his criticism of the CCA. Another young independent, Anthony D. Galluccio, 25, said yesterday he entered the race out of a fear that Cambridge the needs of residents were not being represented.

Galluccio, who said his father Anthony Galluccio '39 devoted his life time to the Democratic party and managed John F. Kennedy's first district campaign, said he is entering the race as an independent out dissatisfaction with the CCA.

"We've always been a family of liberal Democrats," Galluccio explained.

"The CCA had not been in power for so long that when they gained control they were more obsessed with keeping control," Galluccio said.

James F. McGrail, 27, is another young candidate who says his entry into politics was prompted by the current council's tendency to vote as a block.

"If you don't agree with the CCA, I mean, no non-CCA need apply," said McGrail.

"I'm not running on any slate; I'm running with no strings attached," he added.

Galit P.G. Dukach, 24, said she decided to enter the elections because she recently purchased a home in Cambridge and decided this was a good time to become involved in city politics.