Former State Rep. Evandro Carvalho has jumped into the crowded field of candidates hoping to succeed Councillor Andrea Campbell in District 4. The Fuller Street resident — who represented the Fifth Suffolk district from 2014 to 2019— is the only former elected official currently seeking the district seat, which Campbell will vacate as she runs for mayor.

Carvalho, 39, is an attorney and former prosecutor who ran for Suffolk County District Attorney in 2019. More recently, he has worked as the executive director of the city of Boston's Human Rights Commission— an appointment made by former Mayor Walsh. Before leaving the Legislature to seek the DA's job, Carvalho led on criminal justice reform legislation and sought to add frequency to the Fairmount Line— two issues that he says remain critical to voters in District 4.

"My voice is that of a proven champion and I know what I can bring to the table," he told the Reporter this week. "I'm coming in with the same drive that I had on Beacon Hill to really take it to the next level."

Carvalho joins a field of a dozen men and women who have said they will seek a spot on the ballot. Nomination papers just became available for distribution on Tuesday. About one-quarter of the precincts in District 4— which includes parts of Mattapan and Dorchester— overlap with sections of his former House district.

"These are communities that I know like the back of my hand. I knocked on these doors. People there know that I show up and I help," he said.

Carvalho said he did consider running for an at-large seat, but opted for D-4 because he thinks it's the "highest need community in the city of Boston right now.... and I can get things done for it."

Still, Carvalho said he has been impressed by the volume of candidates who will run alongside him to succeed Campbell.

"I'm encouraged by the engagement, because that's been an issue in our community. To see that many Black men and women having the courage to step up, I know how hard that is. So, I'm looking forward to engaging with them now and after the election to make sure we work together."

In addition to pulling papers, Carvalho has already hired a field director — Kelvin Green II—to kick-start his candidacy. Green last worked as a field coordinator for Sen. Elizabeth Warren with a focus on the city of Somerville.

Other candidates who say they plan to seek election for District 4 include William Dickerson III, Nikkia Jean-Charles, Trina Ruffin, Troy Smith, Jacob Urena, Josette Williams, Brian Worrell, Leonard M. Lee, Sr., Joel Richards, Trevour Smith and Deeqo Jibril. Each of them has set up accounts with the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance.