Last-minute filings by two candidates have created contested races for the mayor's seat and the at-large Council seat in Laurel's Nov. 1 city elections.
With the filing deadline passing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, Kimberly Rau, clerk of the City Council, reported that Mayor Craig Moe and former City Council member Michael Sarich had both filed to run for mayor.
In the race for the Council's at-large seat, incumbent Michael Leszcz filed to run for re-election, and new-comer Adrian Russeau, a Laurel Boys and Girls Club official, also filed his candidacy.
In Ward 1, former Council member H. Edward Ricks filed to run for the seat being vacated by four-term Council member Jan Robison, who said earlier she was not seeking re-election because of health concerns. Ward 1 Council member Valerie Nicholas, who was appointed to her seat in June when Gayle Snyder retired before her term ended, filed for re-election in Ward 1.
Both of the current Ward 2 City Council members, Donna Crary and Frederick Smalls, filed for reelection in their ward and will be running uncontested races.
In this year's election, city residents will vote for two candidates in their own ward, as well as the at-large council seat and for mayor.
The official election ballot will be certified Oct. 3, and early voting will be held Oct. 27 to 29 at the Laurel Municipal Center.