Election attracts many new faces

Incumbents try to defeat challengers both old and new

(* denotes incumbent)

Mayor

Michael E. Bennett

Bennett is a political newcomer running for his first elected office. A resident of Aberdeen since 1958, Bennett is a retired Maryland State Police lieutenant, having served 31 years. He now is a civilian employee who oversees the Maryland State Police's electronic systems, handling communications, telephone and computer system.

Nicole V. Burlew

The Towson University junior who is studying political science hopes to become the youngest Aberdeen mayor. At 19, she has never run for political office, but says her youth and passion will make up for her inexperience. Her proposals for the city include charging all non-city residents a fee to work in the city and to use city roads.

S. Fred Simmons*

His critics call him arrogant while his supporters laud him as bold. After an eventful two years in office, marked by a failed annexation attempt and hands-on approach to confronting crime, Simmons is running for another two-year term. The insurance salesman has launched ambitious projects such as a surveillance-camera program and desalination of bay water to bolster the city supply.

City Council(The top four vote-getters will serve two-year terms)

Alfred E. Bell Jr.

A government contract employee who works at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Bell is making his first bid for public office. The Mississippi native moved to Aberdeen 10 years ago. A deacon at the Helping Hands Ministry in Aberdeen, Bell said his neighborhood and church community urged him to run.

Richard R. Denu Jr.

After working for the Aberdeen Police Department for more than a decade, Denu left the force to work for a government contractor and pursue a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Since leaving the Aberdeen police, Denu has been a vocal critic of the Simmons administration. He and his wife have seven children.

Bernard DeWitt

DeWitt, who works for General Dynamics, a defense industry contractor at Aberdeen Proving Ground, is making his second bid for council. In 2005, he finished sixth out of seven candidates. DeWitt served 20 years in the Army, including a stint in the first Gulf War. He is married with two children.

Ruth Elliott*

A native of Aberdeen, Elliott served as the city's first elected mayor in 1992. She retired from Aberdeen Proving Ground and is finishing her seventh term on the council. She is frequently the lone dissenting vote in council decisions.