Koocher fingers another School Committee member, E. Denise Simmons, as another possibility.

"She'd be a credible candidate if she wanted to run because her politics are progressive and she's articulate," Koocher said.

Simmons has been a leader on the school committee and on race issues, Carson said.

"Denise Simmons has been a leader on the School Committee for many years. This is her second year as vice chair," Carson said. "On top of that she has taken a leading position in the city on the issue of bringing race into a position where there could be an open dialogue about it."

In addition to those two School Committee members, Koocher speculates that Katherine Triantafillou, a former three-term councillor who was defeated in the 1999 election, might return to the field.

""There is a sense that Katherine Triantafillou might try to make a come-back," Koocher said.

Triantafillou has the advantage of being from North Cambridge, although her past record might help as well as hinder her chances, Koocher added.

"She did marginalize herself by her intemperate behavior and her willingness to be the outsider on the council," he said.