After the stress of last week's school levy election, St. Joseph residents might want to push politics aside for a while.

Sorry folks. The city's next campaign season starts today.

Candidates for the St. Joseph City Council, mayor and municipal judge elections may file for office beginning today at City Hall.

Fourteen people have picked up petitions for a council seat since the City Clerk's office began handing them out Oct. 1. Anyone interested in seeking office may obtain petitions until the Dec. 15 filing deadline.

Kim Brant and Jerome Goolsby will challenge incumbents Donna Jean Boyer and Jeff Penland for the city's three at-large council seats. Both applied to fill Mike Hirter's vacancy, but the council chose Mr. Penland for the spot Sept. 1 after two nights of speeches and voting.

The 1st District race includes two more from the September group. Andrew Trautman and Michael Stevens will join Reba Hebert in a race with Roger Baker for his 1st District seat.

Joyce Starr faces one challenger in the 2nd District, Sarah Hochschwender, who was part of the group Alliance for Community Excellence that sought a levy without a sunset clause prior to last week's election.

In the 4th District, another candidate from September's race, Richard Sharp, will try to unseat Gary Roach.

Mike Bozarth (3rd District) and Barbara LaBass (5th) do not face opposition for their places on the council so far.

Council member Bill Falkner will leave his at-large seat for a shot at the mayor's office. Richard "Dick" Sipe, Norma Jo "Donna" Maccoux and Steve Warner also have picked up petitions for the mayor's race. Mayor Ken Shearin has repeatedly stated he will not seek a second term and has not obtained petitions for a council seat.

Mr. Sipe issued a press release Monday stating he intends to file today. He will hold a launch party at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the O'Malley Beverage hospitality room for anyone interested in helping his campaign.

Municipal Court Judge John Boeh remains unopposed.

Anyone interested in running for office can obtain petitions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from the City Clerk, Room 303 at City Hall, 1100 Frederick Ave. The city primary will be held March 2, followed by the general election April 6.

Clinton Thomas can be reached

at clintonthomas@npgco.com.