Ann Arbor school board race to be uncontested in November election

The five Ann Arbor school board members up for election in November will face no opposition.

The five current board members - Susan Baskett, Simone Lightfoot, Deb Mexicotte, Christine Stead and Andy Thomas - were the only people to file papers by the filing deadline, which was 4 p.m. today.

It’s the first time in years five seats have been open at the same time on the board. It happened because three members - Helen Gates-Bryant, Randy Friedman and Adam Hollier - resigned last school year. Stead, Lightfoot and Thomas were appointed to fill the terms.

Each time the board had to fill terms, several people applied for the vacancy. None of those people filed for the fall election.

The Ann Arbor school board will be on a crowded ballot. In addition to races coming out of the August primaries, a number of candidates for other seats - mostly school boards - had until today to file.

Here’s the list of today's filings:

54 District - State House

David Palmer, who listed himself as an independent, and Clifford McKinney, who listed himself as from the U.S. Taxpayers Party, filed today. They will face Democrat David Rutledge and Republican Richard Deitering.

Ann Arbor city mayor

Steve Bean filed as an independent in the race. He’ll face Democrat John Hieftje.

Ann Arbor City Council

In Ward 2, Emily Salvette filed as a libertarian. She will face Democrat Tony Derezinski.

In Ward 5, Newcombe Clark filed with no party listed. He will face Republican John Floyd and Democrat Carsten Hohnke.

Augusta Township trustee

David McMahon filed as a Green Party candidate.

Saline City Council

David Rhoads, Brian Marl, James Roth and Dean Benjamin Girdoor all filed for seats. Incumbent Gretchen Driskell was the only one to file for the mayor’s seat.

Ypsilanti City Charter Commission

John Gawlas, William Fennel, Karen Valvo, James Hawkins and Cheryl Farmer all filed to run for the Ypsilanti City Charter Commission.

Washtenaw Community College trustee

William Campbell, Stephen Gill and Pamela Horiszeny were the three to file for positions on the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees.

Lincoln school board

Yoline Williams and Gregory Gurka both filed for a partial two-year term.

Saline school board

Todd Carter and Paul Hynek were the only people to file for the one open seat.

Willow Run school board

Brenda Meadows, Sheri Washington, Don Garrett Jr. and Kristine Thomas all filed for seats.

Whitmore Lake school board

James Kritzman, Jeffrey Vega, Kristen Milstone, Rita LaForest and Audrey Slagle all filed for seats.