By Joe Murchison
Sixteen people met the deadline of July 21 and filed certificates of candidacy for the Laurel mayor and city council elections, to take place Nov. 7. It is the largest group of candidates for a city election in memory, said outgoing Mayor Craig Moe, who was first elected to the city council 33 years ago.
The candidates still must receive final certification from the elections board, after the city Ethics Commission reviews their campaign finance reports and city officials confirm they have no outstanding tax liabilities or fines. That should occur by around Aug. 4, said elections board chairman John Kish.
Here is a list of the candidates.
Mayor
Seeta Deonauth
Martin Mitchell
Brencis Smith
Keith Sydnor
Sophady Uong
City Council At-Large (one seat)
Christine Johnson
Enrico McCleary II
Adrian Simmons
City Council Ward 1 (two seats)
Carl DeWalt (incumbent)
James Kole (incumbent)
Connie Lucas
Stephen Wallace
City Council Ward 2 (two seats)
Kyla Clark
Melvin Lindsley
Thomas Matthews Jr.
Jeffrey Mills