Minutes before the 4 p.m. candidate filing deadline Wednesday, Steve Gregson (far left), Mark Weiner and Richard Weiner file papers – Gregson for Republican Town Committee, Mark for state representative Dist. 30, and Richard for Town Council. Credit: EG News

With at least three open seats on the Town Council, it was shaping up to be a good year to run. Indeed, by the time the candidate filing period closed at 4 p.m. Wednesday, 10 people had filed papers, including 6 Republicans, 3 Democrats and 1 independent. If all six Republicans hand in their 50 signatures by July 11, then there will be a primary. The Town Council is comprised of five members who are elected to two-year terms.

Council President Michael Isaacs is running – if elected, this would be his sixth and final term (council members are limited to 12 consecutive years). He is the only incumbent running again. Incumbent Mark Gee is running for state senate, Dist. 35, the seat held by Dawson Hodgson, who is running for attorney general. Incumbents Jeff Cianciolo, Mike Kiernan and Brad Bishop are not running for reelection.

Other GOP candidates are:

• Former Zoning Board member and previous state rep. candidate Robert Bolton, a manager at Allstate Financial Services
• Former School Committee Chair Sue Cienki, the only woman in the race and a lawyer
• Ed Field, owner of Fitzwater Engineering (read more about him here)
• Sean Todd, a district sales manager for BioReference Laboratories
• Gene Dumas, a consultant for DB Electronics and a member of the Historic Cemeteries Advisory Committee

The Democrats are: 

• Former Town Councilor Mark Schwager, a physician
• Bill Stone, owner of Outside GS and a member of the EG Planning Board (you can read more about him here)
• Richard Weiner, a 21-year-old college student and son of national Democratic fundraiser Mark Weiner

Independent candidate Robert Vespia is a retired EGFD firefighter

To continue in the election, the candidates have to take out signature papers (available July 1) and submit at least 50 signatures from East Greenwich registered voters by 4 p.m. July 11. We will be writing more about the candidates in the weeks and months ahead.