Election filing ended Friday

Republican nominations for both mayors in the county will be contested.

They are two of only five contested primary races.

Filing for the 2023 municipal elections wrapped up at noon Friday with the races for the GOP nominations for mayor of Portland and mayor of Dunkirk highlighting the primary ballot.

Other contested races are for Republican nominations for Dunkirk City Council District 1, Redkey Town Council at-large and Pennville clerk-treasurer.

The race for the GOP nomination for mayor of Portland is the most crowded, as incumbent John Boggs has three challengers. Trying to knock him off are Joel Smitley, who works for McAfee Recycling, Portland police dispatcher Jeff Westlake and retired Portland police officer Todd Wickey.

Former mayor Randy Geesaman is uncontested in the Democratic primary.

Boggs defeated Geesa-man in the 2019 general election after being uncontested in the primary.

Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for mayor of Dunkirk with hopes of a general election meeting with incumbent Democrat Jack Robbins, who is uncontested in the primary. Jay Miller, who served 20 years in the military and worked as a call center manager before retiring about four years ago, will take on Alden Glessner, who worked in commercial heating and air conditioning and now owns rental properties, for the GOP bid.

Incumbent Krista Scholer, a Republican, is facing a primary challenge for Lindsay Wright for Pennville clerk-treasurer.

For Dunkirk City Council’s District 1 seat, incumbent Republican Kevin Hamilton is facing a challenge from Randy Murphy.

Two Republicans — David Dudelston and Brenda Beaty — are vying for one spot available in the general election for Redkey Town Council at-large.

Incumbents who chose not to seek re-election include Janet Powers for Portland City Council at-large, Don Gillespie for Portland City Council District 4, Bryan Jessup for Dunkirk City Council District 2 and Tom Johnson for Dunkirk City Council at-large.

Others who are uncontested in the primary are:

Democrats — Incumbent Jack Robbins for mayor of Dunkirk, incumbent Lori Aker-Phillips for Portland clerk-treasurer, incumbent Tina Elliott for Dunkirk clerk-treasurer, incumbent Mary Eley for Redkey clerk-treasurer, incumbent Dave Golden for Portland City Council at-large, Judy Aker for Portland City Council District 5, Donna Revolt for Dunkirk City Council District 2, and “Watermellon” Jim Phillips for Redkey Town Council at-large

Republicans — Incumbent Donald Gillespie for Portland City Court judge, Larry Nuckols and Ashley Hilfiker for Portland City Council at-large (two seats), incumbent Matt Goldsworthy for Portland City Council District 1, incumbent Michele Brewster for Portland City Council District 3, Ron May for Portland City Council District 4, Dan Watson for Dunkirk City Council at-large, Jacqueline Miller for Dunkirk City Council District 2, incumbent Jesse Bivens for Dunkirk City Council District 3, incumbent Christy Curts for Dunkirk City Council District 4, Glory May for Redkey clerk-treasurer, Joshua Miller for Pennville Town Council at-large, Carrie Minnich for Bryant clerk-treasurer, and Gregg Ellenberger and Randall Boice for Bryant Town Council at-large (three seats)

Mike Aker, an independent, filed to run for Portland City Council District 2. Independents do not appear on the primary ballot.