"I definitely feel very strongly about rent control. It works against the very people who it is supposed to help," Dukach said.

Dukach said her position as a libertarian should make her attractive to students.

"I very much support choices in any area," she said.

Another young candidate, Jack Defandorf, 28, said he decided to enter the campaign process as a "twenty-something candidate" because he was frustrated by the lack of activities for young people in Cambridge.

"People seem to want to turn what is pretty much a city neighborhood into a suburb," Defandorf said.

Thomas P. Weed, 36, joined the city council race because he said he believes the council has become too divided over many issues.

"The city is pretty polarized over many issues. It ends up being CCA and pro-business," Weed said.

Weed, who said he is an independent but pro-rent control, said while he is critical of the divided council, he has no direct criticism of the CCA.

"I don't like to engage in CCA bashing," Weed explained.

Five of the nine incumbent councillors said yesterday they will be seeking reelection in November. Alice K. Wolf, the top vote getter in the last council election, announced earlier this year that she will not run again.

Sheila T. Russell said yesterday she will run again in November. Russell said she does not believe Harvard students should be allowed to vote in Cambridge.

"I don't think it's such a hot idea for them to vote in Cambridge; they don't have any stake in the issues," Russell said.

Councillor Walter J. Sullivan said he will seek reelection for what would be his 18th term.

"I'd just like to see the city get in order and get it running," Sullivan said.

Sullivan, who has spent 36 years on the Council, said yesterday he hopes to see 20 terms.