Let’s just go ahead and call the three-way battle for Eastlake mayor as the most interesting candidate race this year in Lake County.

Incumbent Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Council President Dennis Morley filed to run a while back before the July 19 deadline and already started fundraising for their campaigns. It appeared initially this would be a showdown between the two men.

Councilwoman Cindy Quinn-Hopkins surprised many with her decision to run, and she eventually filed to run for mayor less than two hours before the deadline.

So what we have here is a special nonpartisan primary to be held on Sept. 17 in Eastlake. It will be the only one this fall in the county because other races with a July 19 filing deadline did not have enough candidates file to trigger a special primary.

What makes the Eastlake mayor race so intriguing is the top two finishing candidates in the primary will advance to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Whomever finishes third is out.

To handicap the race as of right now, I would consider Andrzejewski a slight favorite, followed closely by Morley and Quinn-Hopkins.

Campaign issues obviously include managing city finances and — more recently — whether the city pool should have been opened this summer.

Some residents might support Andrzejewski for his desire to use a projected city surplus to open the pool, while City Council cited financial concerns in their decision to keep the pool closed.

Before the race rounded into shape, Morley and Quinn-Hopkins previously had seemed to be on the same page in opposition to Andrzejewski as mayor, so it will be interesting to see how that relationship evolves as the campaign ensues.

Some whisper Quinn-Hopkins entered the race because it provides an additional chance to oust Andrzejewski by forcing a three-way primary. If the mayor finishes third, then he isn’t re-elected.

Others say although the mayoral race is nonpartisan and political parties aren’t listed on the ballot, Quinn-Hopkins gives Republicans a candidate. Andrzejewski and Morley are both registered Democrats.

Quinn-Hopkins told me after she filed that she is excited to become a leader in the community and noted it’s been a long time since a woman was mayor.

Regardless of why they run, the candidates are certified and there is little time for them to waste.

Absentee voting for the primary for uniformed and overseas citizens begins Aug. 3 (45 days before the election). The general public can start to vote Aug. 13 (35 days before the election). Voter registration for the primary race closes Aug. 19.

Event

Lake County Democratic Party Summer Picnic will be noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 11 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. No cost to attend, but RSVP required by contacting the county Democratic Party.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. today at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. today at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n State Rep. John Rogers hosts a golf outing Aug. 9 at Madison Country Club. See Rogers or Kip Molenaar.

n Mentor-on-the-Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing scramble, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Kevin Malecek or Paul Miller.

n Fundraiser for Riverside School Board Member Belinda Grassi and Jennifer Harden, a candidate for Riverside School Board, 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Pickle Bills in Grand River. See Grassi or Harden.

n Lake County Treasurer-elect Lorraine M. Fende hosts 8th annual Steakroast from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club. See Diane Fox.

n Kenny Yuko, a candidate for Ohio Senate District 25, hosts a Gala Reception with special guest state Rep. Connie Pillach who is a candidate for Ohio Treasurer, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at The Patrician in Eastlake. See Yuko or Pamela Yuko.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah