NEW CUMBERLAND — The Chester council seats currently occupied by Nathan Wright and Steve Shuman currently are the only contested races this May.

Wright is not selecting re-election to Ward 1, after relocating to the city’s third ward.

Jason Thorn, who currently occupies a Ward 4 seat, finds himself residing now in Ward 5 after precincts recently were changed at the end of last year.

Bill Kell, Leon Huff and Seth Roderick Patton all are seeking the Ward 1 seat.

Thorn finds himself running against newcomer Donald Tharp and incumbent Shuman for Ward 5 in the city’s only other contested race.

Running unopposed to keep their seats are mayor Ed Wedgewood and Ward 2 councilman John Woodruff.

Matt Cashdollar also is seeking election to Thorn’s former Ward 4 seat.

By 2032, all municipal governments like Chester are required to merge their elections in conjunction with county and state elections. Hancock County commissioners and the city of Chester completed that in December as required by Senate Bill 50.

Chester officials hope this will help boost their municipal voter turnout numbers starting with the 2026 primary, which is set for Tuesday, May 12.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com