While most of the attention is focused on the race for president, local candidates are busy organizing and raising money to contest the office of state senator and state representative next fall in the districts that represent Martha’s Vineyard.

A crowded field of candidates is vying to succeed state Sen. Dan Wolf, who is not seeking reelection. And an Island resident is challenging incumbent state Rep. Tim Madden.

Senator Wolf’s announced departure from the State House triggered a cavalry charge of candidates who want to be the next state senator for the district that includes the Vineyard, Nantucket and all Cape Cod towns except Bourne, Sandwich and Falmouth.

Benjamin deRuyter is one of three Democrats seeking his party’s nomination for state senate. The Brewster selectman leads the early fundraising race, gathering $58,275 in donations in 2015, according to reports filed with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. He has already made two campaign trips to the Vineyard. Mr. deRuyter is president of Voorspoed, Inc., a company that manages several large commercial properties in Provincetown. In an interview with CapeCodToday.com, he cited affordable housing, jobs and climate change as issues.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination is Julian Cyr of Truro. He is director of policy and regulatory affairs for environmental health at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Involved in politics at a young age, Mr. Cyr has served as a White House intern and worked at the Clinton Global Initiative, a foundation formed by former president Bill Clinton, according to his website. He raised $40,955 in political donations in 2015. He cited affordability, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship as campaign themes.

Sheila Lyons, a Wellfleet Democrat who is serving her second term as a Barnstable county commissioner, entered politics after a career as a social services counselor. On her campaign website, she lists the environment, homelessness and the opioid epidemic as issues she has worked on in recent years. Campaign finance records show she raised $14,035 last year.

Two Republicans are also in the running to vie for their party’s nomination in the primary election.

James Crocker Jr. of Osterville is a member of the Barnstable town council, and owner of Wianno Realty. He describes himself as a pro-business candidate who opposes any new taxes. According to campaign finance records, he raised $50,271 in 2015. Mr. Crocker won the Republican primary for the Cape and Islands senate seat in 2010, but was defeated by Senator Wolf in the general election.

Also seeking the Republican nomination is retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Anthony Schiavi of Harwich. During a 30-year military career, he served as commanding officer of the 102nd Fighter Wing and 102nd Intelligence Wing at Joint Base Cape Cod. Following military service, Mr. Schiavi was hired as the town manager in Ashland, but resigned to run for the senate seat. He is running a platform of fiscal responsibility, job creation and housing issues. He received $22,225 in political donations in 2015.

In the race for state representative from the Barnstable, Nantucket, and Dukes district, Oak Bluffs resident Ewell Hopkins will challenge incumbent Timothy Madden for a seat in the state legislature. The district includes all of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and western precincts of Falmouth, including Woods Hole.

Mr. Hopkins is a member of the Oak Bluffs planning board and has been active in Democratic party politics on the Island. He cites his commitment to public service for seeking a post on Beacon Hill. He reported $950 in campaign contributions in 2015.

Mr. Madden, currently in his fourth term as a state representative, was elected in 2008. A Nantucket businessman, he defeated Island attorney Daniel Larkosh in the 2008 general election, running as an independent candidate. Mr. Larkosh was the Democratic party nominee. According to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Mr. Madden reported no political donations in 2015.

No Republicans filed papers to get on the primary ballot in the state representative race.

The primary election is set for Sept. 20, followed by the general election on Nov. 8.

New voters have until August 19 to register for the state primary, and Oct. 19 is the last day to register for the general election.

This article has been updated to clarify that Mr. Madden was elected in 2008 as an independent candidate.