Crickets!

That’s all you’re hearing from Republicans and Democrats interested in running for the highest elective seat in Warwick. In fact, the only Democrat expressing an interest in running for mayor – City Council President Steve McAllister – announced as soon as the city budget hearings concluded last Thursday he wouldn’t be going for the seat. Furthermore, surprising many political observers, he wouldn’t seek reelection to Ward 7, the seat he will have held for eight years.

Ward 6 Councilwoman and Chair of the Democratic City Committee, Donna Travis, said Tuesday no one has approached her about running for mayor and she isn’t activity recruiting to find a candidate. She said she’ willing to listen if anyone is interested in running for the seat.

The lack of mayoral candidates leaves independent Mayor Frank Picozzi, as of this point, unchallenged for a second time. It also puts Picozzi in line for serving the first 4-year term for mayor. Introduced by Councilman James McElroy, the City Council approved extending the term from two to four years last year with the expectation it would serve to attract more candidates and give the winner time to implement his or her platform. The council also approved term limits for the council.

McAllister appeared to be the favored Democrat when House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Gov. Dan McKee jointly sponsored two fundraisers for him at the Crowne Plaza. Mayor Picozzi showed up at the first of the two events, but when he was absent from the second speculation was rampant a McAllister-Picozzi faceoff was in the making.

Asked at the time about a possible challenge from McAllister, Picozzi shrugged off speculation of a contest saying he was focused on doing the city’s business. Picozzi was unawake of any other possible mayoral candidates.

In an interview Friday, McAllister’s outlined decision to step away from politics, for the time being anyway.

His recent trip to Disney World with his wife Vanessa and daughter Grace reinforced his desire to spend more time with family especially at a point where the world is opening up to Grace. She will be attending preschool in the fall, is playing soccer in the Warwick Firefighters league and is taking dance lessons. He wants to be there for the games and the dance recitals. Not that that wouldn’t all be possible while running a campaign for reelection or a bid for mayor, which would be far more intense, it would steal time from home. And should he have run for mayor and won, McAllister recognized it would be an increasingly larger commitment eliminating opportunities for family travel and being with family.

“Were really in a good place,” he said mentioning Vanessa’s work in Warwick schools, Grace’s expanding world and his job with the United States Chamber of Commerce where he is vice president of the Eastern Region. He sees his chamber responsibilities growing. He spoke of a civics contest the chamber is to develop looking nationwide. Looking ahead, McAllister looks to be involved in the community and plans to explore roles in non profit organizations benefiting the city. He said he has not reached out to a possible successor, adding that serving as councilman he has met many people capable of filling the position.

Who might seek to follow in his footsteps as council president could depend on the election and from all appearances it could be a much different City Council.

City Finance Chair, Timothy Howe, likewise disclosed last week he won’t seek reelection and the buzz is other incumbents could bow out. In a brief interview following Memorial Day services Monday outside City Hall, Howe said he is a believer in term limits. He is proud of his service and accomplishments since winning the seat in the 2016 campaign. Howe called his first term a learning process and that during successive terms he honed in on issues facing Ward 3 constituents and the city. He’s become disheartened by the argumentative nature of council meetings, noting without naming names that council members propose budget amendments and then vote against the budget.

“That’s politics, that’s not neighbors,” he said.   As accomplishments he points to improved communications with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and that he and his neighbors are happy that Warwick Sewer Authority pump station 5 is no longer emitting the rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide; that roads have been paved and they have street lights. Howe is backing a member of his ward committee, Bryan Nappa as his successor.

Now 75 and having served 30 years on the council, Travis said Tuesday she has health issues, and hasn’t made a decision on seeking re-election. That will come next week, she said.

In the bigger picture, whether she seeks re-election or a Democrat steps in to run, it appears most incumbents running for re-election will do so without either facing a Democratic primary or Republican or independent challenger. Who among those ranks are William Foley in Ward 1; Jeremey Rix, Ward 2; James McElroy, Ward 4; Ed Ladouceur, Ward 5; Anthony Sinapi, Ward 8 and Vincent Gebhart, Ward 9.

McElroy dispelled talk that he wouldn’t be seeking re-election on Wednesday.