Three candidates filed for the 2025 Centralia City Council election before Monday’s deadline: Andrew J Heser, Marion “Bunny” Garrett and incumbent Robert “Rob” Jackson. Because Jackson and Heser filed on the first filing day, a lottery will be held on Nov. 5 to determine which of them is first on the ballot.

Council member Jeff Castellari, whose seat is also up for election, did not run and will not seek re-election after serving a four-year term. When asked the reason for his resignation, Castellari said he felt it was the right time to move on.

“Four years have passed. Let new blood come in and possibly make changes. “This council does a great job… it’s time for me to do other things and venture out.”

Castellari highlighted some of the achievements of the council that he was able to be a part of during his mandate.

“Some balanced budgets, do the right thing for Centralia, see how things happen. “It’s a team effort, not just one person,” Castellari said. “The most important thing is the water plant under construction. “People don’t realize how valuable water is to us and to all the outlying communities… I know everyone will keep going and progress is being made.”

The city council election will take place on April 1, 2025.