Three-way mayoral tilt highlights thin slate

From left Omer Ouellette, Caroline McCarley and David Walker will vie for the coveted mayoral seat on Tuesday. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - A thin slate of contested races will be on the ballot Tuesday in Rochester, with a three-way battle to replace outgoing longtime mayor T.J. Jean the crown jewel up for grabs.

Voters will choose between former mayor David Walker, longtime school board member and state senator Caroline McCarley and former city councilor Omer Ouellette, who has already run for mayor three times and lost.

Meanwhile, six candidates will vie for three City Council spots: Ward 1A, now held by Jake Collins, will pit Ray Barnett and Shawn Mickelonis; Ward 4A now held by Walker will see

Thomas Willis Jr. face off against Eric Sirles; and Ward 6A, now held by Donna Bogan, will be between her and the Rochester man whose legal name is "human."

On the school board side, three seats are up for grabs, including an at-large seat that pits Jean against Kathy Dunton; the Ward 2A seat that will go to either Amy Malone or James McManus; and Ward 4B where Sue O'Connor and Nichole Guptel will go head-to-head.

In all just seven contested seats will be decided on Tuesday.