Salvador Franco, a former Bell Gardens councilman, plans to run for City Council in Downey.

The Downey Beat was first to report the news: http://downeybeat.com/2012/08/marquez-trying-to-jump-to-gafins-district-1-former-bell-gardens-councilman-running-for-citywide-council-seat-19391/ (Sorry for the long link -- my hyperlinks are acting up.)

It's not clear when Franco made the move from Bell Gardens to Downey, but he's running for the District 5 citywide seat. Other announced candidates include attorney Alex Saab and former professional baseball player Gabriel Orozco.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission fined Franco $12,500 in 2010 after he "failed to file two pre-election campaign statements; failed to file three late contribution reports; and failed to file a post-election semi-annual campaign statement," according to a news release issued at the time.

Franco owned the Eclipse Cafe coffee shop at Firestone Boulevard before it packed up and moved to Bellflower.

In related news, Councilman Luis Marquez is expected to seek reelection but in District 1. He'll challenge used car salesman Mike Murray.