The candidate filing period opened Friday for the November municipal elections. It was a quiet kick-off during the long July 4th weekend.
Five people in New Hanover County filed for local office the first day. Among those, two are in Wilmington. Mayor Bill Saffo is seeking his seventh term; City Council Member Paul Lawler hopes to serve a second four-year term.
In Carolina Beach, Town Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem LeAnn Pierce is going after the mayoral seat.
Mayor Pro Tem Darryl Mills hopes to make the same jump to Mayor in Wrightsville Beach.
In Brunswick County, Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman is going after her fifth term, and Southport Mayor Jerry Dove is facing at least one challenger, Joe Pat Hatem, whom he also battled in 2017.
The water utility H2GO, which is embroiled in legal issues with the Towns of Belville and Leland, has two open seats this year. As of 5 PM Friday, no one had yet declared their candidacy.
The filing period is open until July 19th.
