The Biddeford City Council race has begun, with all nine seats available in the November election.

A possible shakeup is in store for the city, as new and old faces take out papers in hopes of joining the council.

At the head is the Biddeford mayoral race that currently has three candidates vying for the role. Incumbent Mayor Martin Grohman has announced his run alongside City Council President Liam LaFountain and councilor Norman Belanger.

In Ward 1, incumbent Bill Emhiser has chosen not to run for a fourth term, while former Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce director Jim LaBelle has expressed interest in the seat.

It is not yet confirmed if LaBelle will run.

In Ward 2, incumbent Scott Whiting announced he will not run for reelection, citing extenuating personal circumstances.

In a post to LinkedIn, Whiting said it is with “mixed emotions” that he decided not to seek a third term.

“I cannot continue another term in good faith serving the city and our residents,” Whiting said. “I am proud to have served in this role to the best of my ability, and the work that this current council has accomplished collectively this term.”

Whiting endorsed newcomer Abigail Woods, a Biddeford resident active in both City Hall and York County Community Action dedicated to advocating for those experiencing homelessness in the city and a champion for affordable housing.

Woods joins former City Council President John McCurry in the race for Ward 2 councilor.

In Ward 3, incumbent Roger Beaupre is seeking a second term. So far, he is unchallenged.

In Ward 4, incumbent Dylan Doughty is seeking reelection, having replaced former councilor Bobby Mills when he resigned from his position last year.

Mills, who resigned following an interaction with the Biddeford Police Department in which he was issued a summons for driving under the influence of alcohol, is also running for Ward 4 councilor.

In Ward 5, incumbent Neva Gross will not run for reelection, while Dominic Deschambault and newcomer David Kurtz are looking at the position.

According to City Clerk Robin Patterson, former councilor Roger Hurtubise and newcomer Greg Shapiro have both taken out papers for the Ward 6 seat. Shapiro ran unsuccessfully in 2023, and has also taken out papers for an at-large seat on the council.

Incumbent Norman Belanger is giving up his seat in order to run for mayor. In a recent interview with Biddeford-Saco Now, Belanger said he is running for mayor because the city needs to slow down before taking action.

“There needs to be stronger leadership and a different focus on what’s happening in Biddeford,” Belanger said.

In Ward 7, former Ward 3 councilor Brad Cote is seeking the seat alongside newcomer Sterling Roop.

Two at-large seats are also available, with incumbent Doris Ortiz announcing that she will not seek another term. Incumbent Marc Lessard, who is the longest-serving member of the council, has not announced if he will run again.

The deadline to turn in nomination papers is Sept. 4. The election will take place Nov. 4.