Fayette Mayor Greg Stidham and Northwest Ward Alderwoman Michelle Ishmael filed for re-election on Dec. 9, the first day of the filing period for the April 7 municipal and school board elections.

They were the only two filings reported before this newspaper went to press on Tuesday morning.

Southwest Ward Alderman Grafton Cook confirmed to this newspaper that he would not seek another term. He won a two-way race in April to serve the remaining year of a term that was abandoned by Alderwoman Leeanna Shiflett in October 2024.

No one has filed for the East Ward seat, currently occupied by Ronda Gerlt. Mrs. Gerlt told the Advertiser she has not decided whether or not she will seek a new term.

So far, there are no filings for the Fayette Board of Education. None of the three incumbents has filed as of this writing on Monday afternoon. The three sitting board members are Shauna Young, Aaron Bentley, and Sarah Wies.

The filing period ends at the close of business on Tues., Dec. 30. Anyone interested in filing for school board or municipal seats must do so with that entity, not at the County Clerk’s office.