Six file to replace late Lancaster mayor

Six candidates have filed to run for the Lancaster mayor’s post opened by the death of longtime Mayor Joe Shaw late last year.

When the filing period for the special election to replace Shaw closed on New Year’s Eve, Lancaster City Councilman John Howard was joined on the ballot by Anthony Elder, Altheresa Goode-Howard, Paul N. McKenzie, Charles Vann Jr. and Garrett Williams.

Shaw died Nov. 29 after serving a total of 33 years as the Red Rose City’s mayor – serving four terms from 1978 to 1994, then again from 1999 until his death. He was elected to a fifth consecutive term as the city’s chief executive in November 2014.

As mayor pro tem, Howard is currently the city’s acting mayor. He’s the only one of the six candidates to hold elected office. McKenzie is also a public employee, currently serving as research and development director with the Lancaster County School District.

A special election to fill Shaw’s seat will be held on Feb. 23.

This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Six file to replace late Lancaster mayor."