By Sarah Mansheim
Lewisburg Mayor John Manchester announced his run for reelection last month, and for a while, it appeared he was running unopposed. But, with municipal elections coming up in June, this time, he has an opponent. On Feb. 25, Lewisburg resident and real estate broker Martha Hilton has thrown her hat into the ring.
Hilton is running after being nominated by the Community Party, who also nominated Edith McKinley, owner of Edith’s Store, as a candidate for Lewisburg City Council. There are two seats up for election on the city council – and incumbents Joseph Lutz and Beverly White are both seeking reelection.
Manchester, Lutz and White are all members of the Citizens Party. None of them ran opposed in the last election four years ago.
Hilton said she chose to run for mayor because she loves Lewisburg and she thinks there are things she can do to make it even better. While her Re/Max office has been located in downtown Lewisburg for years, her home always was just outside of city limits, keeping her from seeking public office. However, she recently moved into the city limits.
“Now, I have a voice, and I’d like to do some really cool things for the city,” Hilton said.
Candidates have until Mar. 17 to file for candidacy.
In White Sulphur Springs, candidates for the mayor, recorder and city council seats have already filed. Current Mayor Lloyd Haynes has filed to run for mayor; Peggy Bland has filed to run for another term as recorder; and Audrey Van Buren, Larry Wakeford, G.P. Parker and Theodore “Ted” Humphreys have filed for city council candidacy.
Lewisburg and White Sulphur’s municipal elections are on Tuesday, June 9.
