KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The filing period for the 2025 Municipal Election in Keene opened this week, with a race for mayor emerging early.

Current Mayor Jay Kahn had previously made his intentions to run for reelection known and officially filed with the City Clerk’s office on Wednesday, the day the filing period opened.

Bradford Hutchinson has also filed to run for the mayoral seat. He and Kahn ran against each other in 2023 as well. Kahn earned 2,625 votes in the General Election on November 7, 2023, while Hutchinson earned 247.

Some incumbent City Councilors have already filed to run as well. Mitch Greenwald, currently representing Ward 2 is running for Councilor At-Large, Ed Haas, who is currently an At-Large councilor is running for Ward 2, and Phil Jones is running for reelection in Ward 5.

Councilor Andrew Madison (Ward 3) had previously announced that he will not be running for reelection. Molly Ellis filed to fill his seat on Wednesday.

There are various ward positions on the ballot, along with Mayor and 11 City Council seats. Those interested in filing to run can do so at the City Clerk’s office at Keene City Hall during regular business hours. Its $5 to file for mayor and $2 for all other positions. The filing period is set to close on September 9 at 5 p.m. Interested candidates can also gather 50 petition signatures from residents of their ward or district. The deadline for that is September 12 at 5 p.m.