Embattled Salinas Councilman Jose Castañeda ponders District 1 re-election.

Salinas City Councilman Jose Castañeda is a common sight at protests, often wielding signs advocating for homeless residents in the Chinatown neighborhood or standing by family members of Latino men who were shot by Salinas police officers. He staked his first term on these supporters – the underdogs of the city – and says he is consulting his constituents before deciding whether to seek re-election for District 1, to run for mayor, or not run at all.

“We’re still undecided,” Castañeda says. “If I do anything, it will probably be the last day.”

The deadline to get his name on the ballot is Aug. 12.

Castañeda has been followed by a cloud of controversy since he was elected in 2012. He was publicly censured by his peers at the dais – the first time in the city’s history that an elected official was formally flagged like that by his or her colleagues – and criminally charged with felony counts of stalking, hitting and using force to kidnap and restrain his ex-girlfriend in a van for several hours.

“If convicted of a felony, he has to immediately surrender his post in office,” Salinas City Attorney Chris Callihan says. It’s not clear what happens if Casteñeda were to be convicted after getting his name on the Nov. 8 ballot: “That is an unanswered question that we have to figure out,” Callihan says. If convicted, Castañeda could also face jail time.

Castañeda has consistently claimed he is innocent. But he faces a new hurdle in his criminal case: His defense attorney, William Pernik, is trying to take himself off the case, according to Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon.

Pernik declined to comment on his reasoning to remove himself as Castañeda’s attorney, but confirms he will discuss the matter in court on Aug. 16. If the court allows the lawyer to drop out, Castañeda’s trial, scheduled to start Aug. 22, will likely be delayed.

In the meantime, candidates challenging Castañeda for his District 1 seat are making moves. As of the Weekly’s deadline, Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Davis and Brian Contreras, a longtime community volunteer and executive director of Second Chance Youth Program, have qualified for the ballot.

Juan Sandoval, who has led failed efforts to recall Castañeda, and Castañeda have pulled papers from City Hall. To get on the ballot, candidates are required to turn in at least 20 District 1 voter signatures to the city clerk by Aug. 12. If the incumbent declines to run for his seat, challengers get additional time to enter the race.

UPDATE: The ballot, finalized Aug. 12 at 5pm, will include four candidates for District 1: incumbent Jose Castañeda and challengers Scott Davis, Brian Contreras and Juan Sandoval.