This week, Mayor Bill Saffo confirmed suspicions that he would again run for reelection, running against fellow Democrat Jonathan Barfield, who announced his campaign early this year. While the race is technically non-partisan, the New Hanover County Democratic Party is planning a straw poll to determine which candidates it will support in the race for mayor and city council, where at least four Democratic candidates could be running for three seats. Barfield said he would not participate in the county party’s endorsement process.
