The race for county commission is now a little less up for grabs following the Sept. 6 state primary that saw six candidates — three incumbents who were on the ballot as well as three write-ins — winning Democratic nominations to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Ahead of the primary, only three candidates had filed to seek one of seven open seats. The seventh seat will now be decided by Nov. 8 write-in votes. Not more than two commissioners can reside in the same town.
Current commissioners Donald R. Leopold of Chilmark, Christine C. Todd of Oak Bluffs and Richard G. Wharton of Oak Bluffs, all Democrats, appeared on the primary ballot and will be on the November ballot. Commissioner Tristan Israel of Tisbury staged a successful write-in campaign, as did Doug Ruskin and James Klingensmith, both of West Tisbury.
According to Debra O’Malley, a spokesperson for Secretary of State William Galvin, the successful write-in candidates need to write a letter accepting the nomination and file a statement of financial interest with the state ethics commission within two days of the primary.
The other three incumbent commissioners, Leon Brathwaite of West Tisbury, John Cahill of Tisbury and Keith Chatinover of Edgartown, opted not to run for re-election, according to Dukes County Manager Martina Thornton.
The seven-member commission serves as the legislative body of county government. Terms are for two years.
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