Vandalia already has two candidates for mayor

Rick Gottman will have at least one challenger as he seeks a third term as Vandalia’s mayor.

Gottman and John David Wehrle Jr. have filed nominating petitions for the April 7 mayoral race, according to City Clerk Peggy Bowen.

Neil Clark has also taken out a petition, but he had not filed that petition as of Wednesday morning.

Petitions for municipal and school boards may be filed through the end of the day Monday.

Others who have filed include Bowen, who is seeking a fourth term as clerk, and Marjorie Blythe, running for a fourth term as treasurer. Both are unopposed at this point.

Four incumbents are among the six individuals who have filed as aldermanic candidates:

• Ward I-4-year term – Incumbent Jerry Swarm.

• Ward II-4-year term – Incumbent Dean Black, Robert Bell and Roger Hill. Black, a former chairman of the Fayette County Board, was appointed to the Ward II seat late last year after Barbie Elliott moved to Missouri.

• Ward III-2-year term – Incumbent Lisa McNutt. McNutt was appointed to the seat last year to succeed her father, Von Duggins, who resigned.

• Ward IV – Incumbent Chad Feldpouch.

Also up for election in April is a four-year term in Ward III. That seat is currently held by Mike Hobler.