Councilman Tucker Kelley will challenge incumbent Michael Puzio in the Republican primary for mayor of Rockaway.
The sixth ward councilman filed his nominating petitions this afternoon.
Councilman Jonathan Sackett is seeking the Democratic mayoral nomination, perhaps as an insurance policy if Puzio loses the primary. A Democratic source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that Sackett would likely drop out of the race if Puzio s the Republican nominee.
Puzio was elected mayor last November to fill the unexpired term of the late Michael Dachieson.
Prior to Dachieson’s death, Puzio endorsed Democrat Mikie Sherrill for Congress in the 11th district.
Democrats declined to nominate a candidate against Puzio in the 2018 mayoral election.