By Joe Murchison

Eleven candidates filed to run in the three city council races — At-Large, Ward 1 and Ward 2. Add the five candidates running for mayor and the total of 16 is the largest group of candidates for a city election in memory, said outgoing Mayor Craig Moe. Moe was first elected to the city council 33 years ago.

The candidates still had to receive final certification from the elections board, which will happen after the city’s ethics commission has reviewed their campaign finance reports and city officials have confirmed they have no outstanding tax liabilities or fines. John Kish, elections board chairman, indicated that those checks were to have been completed by around Aug. 4,.

Here are the candidates who have filed for the city council. They will be profiled in upcoming editions of The Laurel Independent.

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