OXFORD – Two former selectmen are running to fill the unexpired term of Mike Thompson, who quit last month with nine months to go on his term.

Caldwell Jackson and Lois Pike have announced their intention to be nominated at the special election, set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Oxford Town Hall.

Thompson walked out of the Sept. 16 meeting after residents strongly criticized the board for not choosing Treasurer Sharon Jackson for town manager. The board chose Michael Chammings, who began his duties Oct. 5.

Caldwell Jackson, 53, said several people called him after Thompson quit, asking if he’d be interested in the seat. He was.

“I would just like to carry on some of the things we’ve been working on,” he said, including road improvements and the possible redevelopment of the Robinson Manufacturing Co. woolen mill in the village.

Jackson has been active in the town’s Economic Development Committee, which is working on a redevelopment plan for the mill as well as plans for the Oxford Business Park on Route 26.

Jackson, who lives with his wife, Diane, at 266 Hebron Road, served as a selectman from 1993 until stepping down in 2002, including three years as chairman. In June he lost the Republican nomination for the state Senate seat being vacated by Rick Bennett.

Pike, 60, said she’s running to give people a choice.

When she served a term on the board from 1998 to 2001, she was often in the minority on issues. But she said her voice was still important, “just to give a different point of view.”

She lost twice by narrow votes in previous tries for a seat on the board, but has continued to attend nearly all selectmen’s meetings.

“I really think you should keep going if you want to stay involved,” she said. “And I do think there should be more women in government.”

Pike, a 23-year-resident, lives on the Robinson Hill Road with her husband, Randy, the town’s transfer station director. She said she was always careful not to vote on transfer station issues as a selectman, but she would not hesitate to provide information if she thought it would be helpful.

“I think you can represent the people with just information,” she said.

Pike has served on Oxford Rescue for 20 years and is a member of the town’s Budget, Solid Waste and Recreation committees.