Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon will be unopposed for a second term this November, but there is potential for considerable turnover on the City Council.

Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon addresses a 9/11 memorial ceremony in 2024 at Central Fire Station at 550 Minot Ave. Harmon will be unopposed for a second term this November. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

After replacing three-term Mayor Jason Levesque in 2023, Harmon said in a campaign announcement last month that “much has been accomplished” during his first term, but added, “we have just begun.”

He pointed to Auburn’s new comprehensive plan that is underway, which will guide development in the city for the next 10-15 years.

“We have begun to address the costs and availability of a broad range of housing needs, to promote economic growth, to preserve and protect Auburn’s natural resources, and to provide educational opportunities that will prepare students to have successful and productive lives after graduation,” Harmon said in the announcement.

In 2023, Harmon campaigned on reigning in Levesque’s more aggressive approach to zoning and housing development, which ultimately won Harmon the seat. However, housing market pressure in Auburn remains, with a recent housing study suggesting the city needs 1,300 more units by 2030.

Harmon said he has succeeded in goals he laid out two years ago, including leading the City Council in developing “forward-looking city policies,” and “engaging citizens in the decision-making process and treating everyone with dignity and respect.”

While Harmon is all but guaranteed the mayor’s seat through 2027, the rest of the council could have a significant shake-up.

In Ward 1, Councilor Rick Whiting chose not to run for reelection. Rachel Randall and Noah Yarnevich, will vie for the seat.

“I have enjoyed my time on the City Council, but feel it’s time for ‘new blood,’ and I’m optimistic that Auburn citizens will elect a strong group of councilors for the next term,” Whiting said Wednesday. “I am also pleased to see well-qualified women running, as women have been underrepresented on the council for some time now.”

In Ward 2, Councilor Tim Cowan is seeking reelection, and will face a challenge from Thomas Page.

While Ward 3 Councilor Steve Milks took out nomination papers for reelection, he ultimately didn’t submit them. Mathieu Duvall, a former Planning Board member, will run unopposed for the seat.

Reached Wednesday, Milks said it was a tough decision, but “in the end it was the result of what’s best for me and my family at this stage of life.”

“It’s been a great experience and I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I do intend to stay involved and participate as a citizen.”

In Ward 4, Councilor Ben Weisner will face a challenge from Kelly Butler.

In Ward 5, Leroy Walker is unopposed for the council seat he has held for more than 15 years. It would be his eighth term.

Both at-large seats will also likely remain unchanged, with Councilors Belinda Gerry and Adam Platz running for reelection unopposed.

For Auburn School Committee, six of seven committee members are seeking reelection.

In Ward 1, Korin McGuigan is unopposed, while newcomer Misty Edgecomb will run unopposed for the Ward 2 seat.

Ward 3 member Patricia Gautier will run unopposed, as will Ward 4’s Quinn Gormley. In Ward 5, Constance Mercier will challenge member Daniel Poisson.

For the two at-large seats, Pamela Albert and Olivia Jaye Rich are running for reelection, with newcomer Nancy Pulk seeking one of the seats.

Asked about the number of uncontested seats, Harmon said, “It is unfortunate that more people aren’t willing to run for public office to serve their community as democracy works best when voters have choices.”