Filing for Jefferson City municipal elections began Tuesday, and six candidates have filed to run in next year's election.
The 2nd Ward was the only race developing on the first day, with incumbent Shawn Schulte and challenger Blake Markus, a local attorney, both filing Tuesday. Markus said he was encouraged to run by several downtown business owners.
Markus said he has lived downtown and currently works at Carson & Coil.
"There were some concerns that I always had with parking and whether or not the city was really putting forward policies that were pro-growth for business owners, land owners and downtown residents in general," Markus said.