KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Emily Benson has withdrawn from the Keene City Council at-large race, trimming the field to seven candidates competing for five two-year seats.

Benson, who works as employee success officer at Bensonwood in Walpole, said the move will allow her to concentrate on other civic and professional responsibilities. She currently serves as vice-chair of the Colonial Theatre Group’s board, as commissioner and vice-chair with Keene Housing, and as a member of the Monadnock Housing Collaborative’s advisory council.

In an email to supporters, Benson said she was confident in the slate of contenders still in the running, calling them “great candidates.” She endorsed incumbents Randy Filiault and Mitch Greenwald, along with Michele Chalice, Laura Ruttle-Miller, and Samantha Jackson.

The at-large contest remains one of the most competitive on this year’s ballot, with Filiault and Greenwald joined by Chalice, Jackson, Robert Johnson, Lindsey, and Ruttle-Miller. Though Benson has exited the race, her name will still appear on the Oct. 7 primary ballot because voting materials have already been printed. The top 10 finishers in that preliminary contest will advance to the Nov. 4 general election, when five will ultimately be elected to at-large seats.

Keene’s 2025 municipal elections feature a number of other contested races as well. Ward 5 Councilor Phil Jones is being challenged by Shane Brown, while newcomer Molly Ellis has filed for the open Ward 3 seat following Andrew Madison’s decision not to run again. At-large Councilor Ed Haas is seeking a shift to Ward 2, and other incumbents filing include Kris Roberts and Jacob Favolise in Ward 1 and Catherine Workman in Ward 4.

At the top of the ticket, Mayor Jay Kahn will once again face challenger Bradford Hutchinson in a rematch of their 2023 contest. Dozens of additional ward positions — including moderators, clerks, checklist supervisors, and selectmen — are also on the ballot.

Candidates who missed Thursday’s filing deadline still have until Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. to qualify for the ballot by petition.