SACO — The slate of candidates for the Nov. 5 municipal election in Saco has been set, with two experienced local politicians vying to become mayor.

Voters will elect a new mayor, all seven city councilors and two members of the Regional School Unit 23 board of directors.

Mayor Mark Johnston, who has served in the office for a total of 14 years, is not seeking re-election. Current City Councilor David Tripp and Donald Pilon, a former state representative, will face off in that race.

In Ward 1, former City Councilor Margaret Mills, Cynthia Chadwick-Granger and David Precourt will run to fill the seat vacated by Tripp. Chadwick-Granger and Precourt have previously run unsuccessfully for the City Council.

Ward 2 incumbent Leslie Smith Jr. faces a challenge from Roger Gay. Newcomer Bette Brunswick is unopposed in her bid to replace outgoing Councilor Marie Doucette in Ward 3.

Philip Blood, the incumbent in Ward 4, will run against political newcomer Kevin Roche. Longtime Councilors Arthur Tardif of Ward 5 and Eric Cote of Ward 6 are running unopposed.

Marston Lovell, the Ward 7 city councilor, faces a challenge from Nathan Johnston, son of Mark Johnston. The two also squared off in the 2011 election.

Voters will be asked to choose two people to serve four-year terms on the RSU 23 school board. Incumbents Kevin Lafortune and Daniel Cabral face challenges by David Labbe, Margarita Zavala and Stanley Mozden.

Gillian Graham can be contacted at 791-6315 or at:

ggraham@mainetoday.com