New London ―Two Democratic candidates for City Council have garnered enough petition signatures to force a September primary, city voting officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Mirna Martinez and Shineika Fareus collected 428 acceptable signatures, more than the 356, or 5% of the number of registered city Democrats, needed to secure a spot on the primary ballot.

The Sept. 12 primary will be the first involving City Council candidates since 2017, according to election data from the Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.

Martinez, executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Community Land Trust and a former Green Party member, previously served for six years on the New London school board, including one year as president.

Martinez, 50, said her initial foray into politics was part of an effort to affect the kinds of changes she felt were needed in the education system she taught in for several years.

“It wasn’t about political affiliation,” she said. “Eventually, as my students got older, my interests broadened into other areas.”

If elected, Martinez said she and Fareus will prioritize youth and senior services, housing policy improvements and promoting “dignity through clean streets.”

Fareus, organizing director of the CT Black and Brown Student Union, said despite never running for municipal office up to now, she’s spent a significant amount of time interacting with residents as part of her community organizing activities.

The pair, running under the “Opening Doors” slate, circulated a single petition requesting spots on the ballot soon after failing to gain enough support at a July Democratic Town Committee endorsement caucus.

“The issues that keep coming up are around young people’s access to programming,” she said. “And while there’s always talk about supporting those programs through budget allocations, there’s more we can do for that, as well as expanding programming for our seniors.”

Republican Registrar of Voters Shannon Brenek said the submitted primary petition included 553 signatures, but 125 were rejected for various reasons. Democratic Registrar Rich Martin was not available to speak on Tuesday.

“Some of the signatures were from unaffiliated voters or Republicans and not from registered Democrats,” she said. “Others came from individuals outside of New London or not registered at all.”

The Democratic Town Committee by majority vote endorsed City Council incumbents Reona Dyess, Jocelyn Rosario, John Satti, Efrain Dominguez Jr., Alma Nartatez and Akil Peck. Board of Education member Jefferey Hart was also selected to run for one of the seven council seats.

Unlike most municipalities in Connecticut, New London doesn’t have a minority representation rule in which the opposition party is guaranteed a certain number of seats. The city has long been a Democratic political stronghold on the City Council and Board of Education.

Committee Chairman Zak Leavy said he expects the endorsed candidates will campaign on their records and experience.

“Mirna and Shineika will run their races, and the people will decide,” Leavy said.

j.penney@theday.com