7 Candidates File to Run for Carlsbad City Council

CARLSBAD, CA — The city of Carlsbad is awaiting word from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office about whether all seven City Council candidates who returned their required nomination forms by Friday's deadline qualify for the November ballot.

The registrar's office had until Wednesday to verify whether the candidates' nomination papers included 20 signatures from registered Carlsbad voters. On Friday, incumbent Lorraine Wood was the only candidate whose signatures had been verified by the registrar's office.

Incumbent Keith Blackburn was awaiting verification, as were candidates Melanie Burkholder, Bill Fowler, Brandon Rowley, Cori Schumacher and Ann Tanner.

Two seats on the five-person Carlsbad City Council are up for election, with Wood and Blackburn vying for reelection to the seats.

Council members, including an elected mayor, serve at-large for staggered four year terms. The mayor’s position, the other two City Council seats, the city clerk and the city treasurer will be up for election in 2018.

Carlsbad City Council members are considered part-time employees of the city and receive a base salary of $24,626 annually, plus benefits.

In addition to the City Council election, the city has placed a measure on the November ballot asking voters to approve or reject a city ballot measure requesting approval to rebuild the aging Fire Station No. 2, located in La Costa.

Residents can find election related information on the city's website, including key dates leading up to the Nov. 8 election, such as voter registration deadlines, early voting opportunities and candidate campaign statements.

(Patch file photo)