HARTFORD, Conn. -- The fight to win the title of Hartford mayor is being joined by more and more candidates.

House Deputy Majority Whip at Large and Hartford Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, D-District 3 -- a long-time critic of incumbent Mayor Eddie Perez -- announced on Thursday that she will seek his office. Gonzalez has represented Hartford in the state House since 1996.

Gonzalez becomes one of five Democratic candidates, a former Democratic mayor who is exploring an Independent candidacy, and at least one Republican candidate who are formally in the race to become Hartford's next mayor.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Jamie Roth reported that Gonzalez may prove to be a tough opponent for Perez because, being a Puerto Rican native, she could attract votes from Hartford's Puerto Rican community, which has long supported Perez.

Democrat Raul de Jesus, 20, also announced his candidacy on Thursday.

The list of Democrats running for the office includes Gonzales, De Jesus, Perez, former deputy mayor I. Charles Mathews, former state Sen. Frank Barrows and state Rep. Art Feltman. Republican J. Stan McCauley announced his candidacy last month.

Thirman Milner, the city's Democratic mayor from the 1980s, filed papers to form an exploratory committee and said he may run as an Independent.

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