Five of the six candidates vying for the 6th Ward City Council seat are set to face off tonight.

The Whittier Alliance and the Stevens Square Community Organization are sponsoring a candidate forum in the multipurpose room of Whittier International Elementary School, 315 W. 26th St. A meet-and-greet with the candidates begins at 6 p.m., followed at 6:30 p.m. by the forum.

Scheduled to take part are Mahamed Cali, who wants to bring a Somali community voice to the City Council; Andy Exley, chairman of the state Green Party; Laura Jean, a former teacher who wants a City Hall focus on poverty; Mike Tupper, a union plumber; and incumbent Council Member Robert Lilligren. Absent will be Bruce Lundeen, a boiler engineer.

Ward 6 includes Whittier, Stevens Square and part of the Phillips neighborhoods.

Steve Brandt, a reporter at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, will moderate the forum.

For more information on each candidate, click here.