Laura Ward has filed to retain her 2nd Ward seat on the Jefferson City Council.
Ward filed for the seat Monday and currently is the only candidate for the 2nd Ward. She has served on the council since being appointed to fill a vacancy in July.
After one week of filing, only one race exists for the April municipal election as three candidates - 3rd Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner, Leonard Steinman and Carrie Tergin - seek the mayor's seat. Mayor Eric Struemph announced in October he will not seek re-election.
Incumbents have filed for the majority of the open seats and no challengers have filed as of Monday. First Ward Councilman Jim Branch, 3rd Ward Councilman Ken Hussey, 4th Ward Councilman Carlos Graham, Municipal Judge Cotton Walker and City Prosecutor Brian Stumpe have all filed to retain their seats.
Mark Schreiber filed to run for the open 5th Ward council seat and is the only candidate as of Monday. Incumbent Ralph Bray will resign Dec. 31 to take his new position as Cole County recorder of deeds.
The city's filing period began Dec. 17 and ends Jan. 20. Offices open are: one council seat in each of the five wards, mayor, prosecutor and municipal judge. All are two-year terms except for the mayor, who serves a four-year term.
Elections will be April 7. A primary will not be held, as Jefferson City eliminated the municipal primary elections earlier this year. For information on candidate requirements or required forms, contact the city clerk's office at 634-6311 or visit www.jeffcitymo.org/clerk/cityelections.html.