photo by: Contributed Photos

Ruby Mae Johnson, left, and Alex Kerr, right

Two more candidates have entered the race for the two Lawrence City Commission seats up for election in the fall.

Ruby Mae Johnson and Alex Kerr both filed this month for the election. They join Steve Jacob and Eric Hyde in the race. Jacob filed to run in January, as the Journal-World reported, and Hyde had filed in March 2024.

In a news release, Johnson said she brings a unique perspective as a transgender resident and has decades of experience working in state and local governments. Johnson said her priorities for the city include ensuring equitable access to health care, education and public safety; bolstering programs that support local businesses and expanding access to affordable housing.

Johnson, who has lived in Lawrence since 1997, said she is running to “ensure Lawrence lives up to (its) values” of openness, freedom and togetherness.

Kerr is currently a junior at Free State High School and will turn 18 in September. He told the Journal-World that despite his age, he feels he has experience from serving on nonprofit boards, including the KKFI 90.1 FM Board of Directors and Independence Inc. Board of Directors.

Kerr said his campaign would be focused on caring about the community and working for them.

Two seats will be available on the City Commission in the upcoming election, with the four-year terms of Commissioners Lisa Larsen and Bart Littlejohn set to end in 2025. Neither Larsen nor Littlejohn had filed for reelection as of Friday, Feb. 21.

The deadline to file for the election is June 2. If necessary, a primary would be held on Aug. 5, and the general election will be on Nov. 4.