With Tuesday’s filing deadline passed, November’s ballot shows an uncontested mayoral race in Gearhart and a competitive race for City Council Position 2.

City Councilor Paulina Cockrum is the sole mayoral candidate after Mayor Matt Brown decided not to seek reelection.

Brown, a PGA golf professional, threw his support to Cockrum after his decision to step down to focus on his golf businesses.

“Paulina has years of experience serving on the Planning Commission and on the City Council,” Brown said in announcing his decision not to seek reelection earlier this month. “It’s been incredible to have her as our council president these last few years where she continues to work diligently to preserve what makes Gearhart so special.”

Cockrum has played a key role in making fiscal decisions that have led to a budget surplus and a strong financial position for the city over the last four years, Brown said. She has also led on important issues such as vacation rental regulations, affordable housing, environmental issues and emergency management.

Gearhart’s Position 3 seat will be filled by appointment after the election.

Position 2 incumbent Reita Fackerell will face opposition from Bob Shortman.

Fackerell was appointed in December 2018, after the departure of former city councilor Sue Lorain. Fackerell served as Seaside library director until her retirement in 2012. She remains active in Seaside Rotary and the Seaside Chamber of Commerce.

“I feel that Gearhart is special to those who live here,” Fackerell said. “There is an ambiance and history that we all embrace. I hope to continue that heritage and encourage the kindness we feel to all who call Gearhart their home.”

Shortman, a two-time former mayoral candidate, retired from his contracting business and manages family properties. “I already serve on the budget committee and look to serve more,” he said. “In the coming year there will be issues in Gearhart I would like to have input on. As a business owner I feel I have much to contribute.”

Position 4 City Councilor Dan Jesse will be making his third City Council bid in Gearhart after defeating his opponent in 2012 and running unopposed in 2016.

Jesse’s career in public service began with the Seaside Convention Center and the Seaside Improvement Commission, before he and his wife, Julie, moved to Gearhart, where he served on the Planning Commission before election to City Council. Trained as a commercial photographer, Jesse is a builder by trade.

He is challenged by Jack Zimmerman, who ran for City Council against Kerry Smith in 2018.

Zimmerman, who is retired, worked in the energy industry in a series of managerial positions. He has owned and developed property in western Colorado.

“My candidacy confirms my deep-seated belief in better maintaining and preserving Gearhart’s uniqueness, along with properly funding the goals of Gearhart’s comprehensive plan,” he said. “While many of these goals embrace my priorities for Gearhart, I will work to create a greater priority on maintaining Gearhart’s existing city assets, which I believe have been neglected.”