Next mayor won't be a Democrat; but all five in hunt for two at-large council seats are Democrats

City elections are non-partisan affairs. But even so, most candidates are registered to vote with a political party.

In this year's mayoral race, Ron Corbett and P.T. Larson are registered Republicans, while Brian Fagan is registered as No Party. In other words, Cedar Rapids' next mayor won't be a registered Democrat like current Mayor Kay Halloran.

The city's next two at-large City Council members will be registered Democrats because all five candidates – Robert Bates, Nick Duffy, Don Karr Jr., Aaron Saylor and Chuck Swore -- have registered as Democrats.

In the east-side council District 1, incumbent Kris Gulick is registered No Party while challenger Tim Pugh is a Republican and challenger Ryan Russell, a Democrat.

In District 3, with precincts in southeast and southwest Cedar Rapids, incumbent Jerry McGrane is a Democrat while challengers Pat Shey – a current at-large council member – and Kathy Potts are Republicans. Cal Busch's name will be on the ballot for the District 3 seat, but he's suspended his campaign. He's a Republican.

Justin Shields, a registered Democrat, is running unopposed in west-side District 5.

Of 16 names on the ballot, that's eight Democrats, six Republicans and two No Party.