Most Lewiston seats were uncontested as the filing deadline neared.
LEWISTON – Marc Mason will face Planning Board member Robert Connors for the City Council’s Ward 5 seat in November.
Connors submitted his nomination petitions for the job Tuesday, making Ward 5 the only contested City Council race, as of Wednesday. Incumbent councilors in wards 2 through 7 had submitted their nomination forms but Connors was the only challenger to make his candidacy official.
Connors, of 23 Charles St., said he doesn’t disagree with Mason’s politics.
“Ward 5 is where I live,” Connors said. “It’s the only place where I can run. I’ve been interested in politics for years. It’s just time for me to see what I can contribute.”
Mason said he welcomed the challenge.
“I’ve been there for a year and a half, so by now people should have an idea who I am,” Mason said. “They should know that I’m not following a group. I make my own decisions and go my own way. I’m following the voice of my constituents, doing what I think they want done to the city.”
`Sad statement’
As of Wednesday, John T. Butler, of 20 Ware St., was the only candidate confirmed for the ballot for the Ward 1 council seat. Roger Philippon announced earlier this summer that he would not seek a second term.
Incumbents Renee Bernier, Lillian O’Brien, Ron Jean, Mark Paradis, Norm Rousseau and Mason all have made their re-election bids official.
The ballot isn’t set, however. Candidates have until 4:30 p.m. Friday to submit their nominations for City Council seats, the mayor’s job or positions on the Lewiston School Committee. So far, three council candidates still have paperwork circulating.
“Just because they have them out, that doesn’t mean they’ll come back in,” said City Clerk Kathy Montejo. “We’ve had plenty of people change their minds in the past few years.”
And Montejo said would-be candidates still have time to pick up nomination forms before the Friday afternoon deadline.
Mason said he hopes someone steps forward.
“Personally, I feel that people running without opposition is a sad statement about our city,” Mason said. “No matter what, I guarantee that there is not one local politician, not one city councilor, who has made all of his constituents happy. So it’s sad that there’s not more people stepping up.”
Mayor’s race
In the race to replace Mayor Larry Raymond, only Lionel Guay, of 318 East Ave., and Charles Soule, of 170 Bartlett St., have made their candidacy official.
Former Mayor Kaileigh Tara, of 17 Brown St., and former State Rep. Stavros Mendros, 506 Main St., are circulating nomination petitions, as is Nathan R. McCarron, of 35 Fairlawn Ave.
In the School Committee election, all incumbents except Ward 5’s Norm Prevost have submitted their nomination papers.
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