The filing deadline for applicants running in the upcoming election closed this week, leaving East County voters with a mix of familiar names and new faces as they head to the ballot box this November.

In Brentwood, where two seats are available on the City Council, newcomers James Cushing and Steve Barr have thrown their hats into the ring along with incumbent Chris Becnel. Last minute filers include Joel Bryant, Kim McIntosh and Scott Davis. City Councilman Brandon Richey announced in a community e-mail last week that he would not be seeking re-election for the seat he has held on the council since 2006.

“After a great deal of discussion with my family, especially with my wife, Christine, I have decided I will not seek re-election to the Brentwood City Council,” said Richey. “While I am proud of my accomplishments as a Brentwood councilmember, several personal reasons mandate I must pass on the opportunity to continue to serve on your behalf.”

Two seats are available on the Antioch City Council. Those who have filed are incumbents Reggie Moore and Martha Parsons, as well as Wade Harper, Gary Agopian and Arne Simonsen.

In the Oakley City Council election, incumbents Carol Rios and Bruce Connelley have filed to run for the two open seats. The other candidates are Rodger McKeon, Paul Seger, Randy Pope and Joseph Klinge.

In the community services district races, Knightsen has three seats available. Incumbents Jeffrey Midkiff and Alvin Simas Jr. are running for re-election. The third seat remains vacant.

Candidates will compete for three open seats in the Discovery Bay Community Services District race. Appointed incumbents Kevin Graves and Brian Dawson have filed their papers, as have Jonathan Silver, Chris Steele and Walter MacVittie. Incumbent David Piepho has decided not run for a seat on the board on which he has served since 1995.

“I care deeply about my community, which is reflected in my 15 years of service to the town of Discovery Bay and the county,” stated Piepho in an e-mail to The Press. “I need to focus my personal time on planning for my upcoming retirement and the new chapter that will bring to my life. This will undoubtedly include continued service to the community at some level.”

Elections for local school boards are also on the November ballot and include the following districts (a star next to the candidate’s name indicates an incumbent; in Knightsen and Oakley there will be no race, as the number of candidates running are equal to the number of available seats):

Antioch Unified School District

(two seats available)

Gary Hack

Angel Luevano

Vincent Manuel

Joy Motts

David Pfeiffer

*Teri Lynn Shaw

Debra Vinson

John Yeager

Brentwood Union School District

(three seats available)

*Tobi Benz

Allan Frank

*Emil Geddes

*Lawrence Hilburn

Heather Partida

Byron Union School District

(three seats available)

John Craig

*Elaine Landro

*Jill Sprenkel

Gary Steinberger

Jeffrey Sugimoto

Knightsen Elementary School District

(two seats available)

*Kristen Rhiner

*Liesel Williams

Liberty Union High School District

(three seats available)

*Joanne Byer

Roy Ghiggeri

*Yolanda Pena-Mendrek

Daron Odell Spears

Steve White

Oakley Union School District

(three seats available)

Andrew Coffman

*Mark Jordan

*Gloria Lott