A Maumelle city alderman filed Wednesday to challenge Maumelle Mayor Mike Watson in the Nov. 4 general election, and two North Little Rock aldermen filed for re-election.
Maumelle Alderman Preston Lewis, 33, filed to run for Maumelle mayor. Lewis is midway into his first four-year term on the Maumelle City Council, representing Ward 3.
Watson, 57, filed last week for re-election, having served two four-year terms as mayor. Watson won the mayor's office in 2006, defeating incumbent Burch Johnson, and drew no opponent in 2010. The mayor's job pays $78,000 per year.
Lewis said in a news release that his candidacy for Maumelle mayor will begin "a new conversation" that will "present a clear direction as to what this community can and must do to keep the promise of Maumelle for our children."
Watson noted in an interview Wednesday that the city went through a strategic planning process a year ago and that the mayoral campaign will likely consist of "differences of opinion between Alderman Lewis and myself on issues that have come up" at Maumelle City Council meetings.
In North Little Rock, Alderman Debi Ross, 60, filed for re-election to a third term in Ward 1. In the city's Ward 2, Alderman Linda Robinson, 60, filed for re-election to a fourth term. North Little Rock aldermen serve four-year terms and are paid $10,300 annually with a $250 monthly vehicle and office allowance.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Little Rock Vice-Mayor Doris Wright, 55, filed for re-election to the Ward 6 position on the city's Board of Directors. Little Rock city directors are paid $18,000 annually for a four-year term with a $250 monthly office allowance.
The filing period for elected municipal positions in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle and Cammack Village continues until noon Aug. 15.
Metro on 08/07/2014