Diamondstone's numbers were against an incumbent in a two way battle. Now it is an open seat and a free-for-all. If he can hold on to his support base, it puts him in a good, but not solid, position. Jo Anne Simon also has an existing support base probably only partly overlapping with Diamondstone's. Thies is more likely to compete with Simon assuming he is riding Yassky's influence in the district. I think Jo Anne Simon's support base would overlap more with Yassky's (and hence possibly Thies') than with Diamondstone's. My impression is that Baer and Diamondstone have overlapping areas of support. Of course Thies will try to play the quasi-incumbent card if Yassky backs him. Levin will have the machine backing him and hence probably developer money from all over.

I personally know three people in the race, so for now my stand is I am for beating Lopez/Levin and am open to the others mentioned in the article. There remain chances of other candidates since it is clear not all constiuencies have their horse in the race.