PORTLAND — What initially promised to be a competitive field of races for city elected offices narrowed when Monday’s deadline passed for filing nomination papers.

City Council seats in Districts 4 and 5, and a District 4 School Board seat, are in play in November because of decisions by Councilors Cheryl Leeman and John Coyne not to seek re-election, and School Board member Justin Costa’s decision to seek Leeman’s seat. All are for three-year terms.

Costa, of 11 Sawyer St,. will face Rosemary Mahoney of 49 Illsley St. and Raymond Ruby of 181 Virginia St. Mark Reilly of 14 Olympia St. took out nomination papers from the city clerk’s office, but decided not to run.

District 4 extends north of Back Cove to the Falmouth town line and Stevens and Allen avenues.

Former Councilor and Mayor David Brenerman’s road to replacing Coyne in District 5 is unimpeded, barring the entrance of a write-in candidate. Brenerman, of 32 Overset Road, was left as the sole candidate on the ballot when Danny R. Hatt of 17 Summit St. decided not to run after taking out nomination papers.

District 5 runs north and west of Stevens and Allen avenues to the Falmouth and Westbrook lines.

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The race to replace Costa will be between Rebecca Wartell of 105 Front St. and Stephanie Hatzenbuehler of 173 Pleasant Ave. In School Board District 5, incumbent Marnie Morrione, of 51 Fuller St., is unopposed.

There is also one at-large School Board seat open after the resignation of Elizabeth Brooks in June. Candidates John Eder of 184 Commercial St. and Gene Landry of 94 Bay View Drive are seeking the three-year seat. Cheryl A. Miner of 55 Central Ave., did not return nomination papers.

The Peaks Island Council races, with two seats with three-year terms and two with two-year terms, drew the least interest. No candidates signed on for the three-year terms and incumbents Timothy Wyant of 130 Central Ave. and Lisa Penlaver of 14 Upper A St. are the only candidates for the two-year terms.

Penlaver’s signatures were still under review Tuesday morning by the city clerk’s office, according to the city website.

City elections are nonpartisan. Write-in candidates have until Sept. 22 to declare their intentions. Election Day is Nov. 4.

David Harry can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or dharry@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidHarry8.


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