18 candidates seeking to fill Kilpatrick's term as mayor of Detroit

Kwame Kilpatrick is out of office but 18 others are seeking his job. "An NBA Hall of Famer, three former candidates and the current office-holder are among the candidates for Detroit mayor," according to the Associated Press. A total of 18 candidates have turned in petitions at City Hall before Tuesday's deadline, AP reported.

The candidates are hoping to fill out the remainder of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's second term in office. A special primary election will be held February 24, and the top two vote-getters will move to a May 5 runoff.

The candidates include interim Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. and ex-Detroit Pistons star and businessman Dave Bing, according to AP.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama appeared with Mayor Cockrel last month but he made no endorsements in the local campaign. Cockrel, a native of Detroit, became mayor on September 19. He is a former journalist and Wayne County commissioner and most recently served as president of the city council.