A second candidate for Lawrence City Commission is expected to join the race.

Mike Machell, the chairman of the city’s Library Board, has called a press conference for 8:30 a.m. today at City Hall to announce his candidacy.

Machell is the director of human resources for Prescription Solutions, a pharmacy benefit management company in Overland Park. He previously ran for Lawrence school board in 2007.

Machell has been active the last several months as the Library Board has put together plans for an $18 million expansion of the library, which was approved by voters in November.

In addition to supporting the library and other infrastructure improvements, Machell said his campaign will focus on attracting primary jobs to Lawrence that can bring new money into the community.

In his job with Prescription Solutions, Machell oversees human resource issues for about 2,000 employees in Kansas and California.

Machell will become the second candidate to file for the position.

Hugh Carter, a financial adviser and a former planning commissioner, filed in November.

The three seats held by Commissioners Rob Chestnut, Mike Dever and Lance Johnson are up for election. None of the three has announced yet whether he plans to seek re-election.

Candidates have until noon on Jan. 25 to file. The primary election, if needed, will be March 1. The general election will be April 5.