KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) With just hours left before today’s 5 p.m. deadline to declare candidacy, several competitive races have emerged in Keene’s 2025 municipal election.

In Ward 5, challenger Shane Brown has stepped forward to oppose longtime Councilor Phil Jones, creating one of the city’s few contested ward-level battles. Ward 3 is guaranteed to see new leadership after Councilor Andrew Madison opted not to run again; newcomer Molly Ellis has entered the race for his open seat.

The citywide Councilor At-Large contest has also drawn heavy interest. Seven candidates have already filed for the five available seats, including incumbents Randy Filiault and Mitch Greenwald, along with Michele Chalice, Robert Johnson, Emily Benson, Laura Ruttle-Miller, and Brian Phillips. The top 10 vote-getters in next month’s primary will move on to November’s general election.

Other incumbents making their bids official include Kris Roberts and Jacob Favolise in Ward 1, Catherine Workman in Ward 4, and at-large Councilor Ed Haas, who is now seeking the Ward 2 seat.

At the top of the ballot, the mayoral race will once again pit Mayor Jay Kahn against challenger Bradford Hutchinson, a rematch of the 2023 contest.

Dozens of additional ward positions — including moderators, clerks, checklist supervisors, and selectmen — are also on the ballot. Recent filings include Matthew McKeon for Ward 2 moderator, Katherine Folts for Ward 2 selectman, Brian Phillips for Ward 4 clerk, Tina Johndrow for Ward 4 checklist supervisor, William Harmon for Ward 4 selectman, John Therriault for Ward 5 clerk, and former mayor Kendall Lane for Ward 5 checklist supervisor.

Candidates who miss today’s deadline can still qualify for the ballot by submitting petitions with 50 signatures from ward or district residents by Friday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m. The municipal primary will be held Tuesday, Oct. 7, followed by the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.