The declaration of candidacy applications remain available at Pendleton City Hall on Jan. 10, 2024. So far, two residents filed to run for mayor and one resident filed for city council positions.

PENDLETON — John E. Thomas has joined race for the 2024 Pendleton City Council Ward 1 seat.

Thomas filed for candidacy Feb. 20. Pendleton City Council positions are nonpartisan.

Thomas works as a private practice psychotherapist and previously worked as a psychiatric social worker for the Oregon Health Authority. He graduated from Ontario High School before attending Northwest University for a bachelor of arts degree in religion and Walla Walla University to get his master’s degree in social work.

He has not held a seat on the council before but has been on the board of the Umatilla County Special Library District since 2017. He also serves on the airport commission, library board, arts committee and historical landmarks commission for the city of Pendleton.

As of Feb. 20, Thomas is the only person to file for Ward 1 and is the sixth person to enter the city council race. Additionally, two candidates are running for mayor to take over from John Turner, who is retiring at the end of the year, when his term ends.

Residents can file to enter the primary election by March 12 and for the general election starting June 5.