Two independent candidates have filed nominations for treasurer with the Mahoning County Board of Elections to run for mayor of Youngstown next year.

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, a Democrat, has said he plans to run for a third four-year term in 2025.

“I look forward to continuing to serve as mayor of Youngstown and to continue the progress that I have made,” Brown said Wednesday.

John White, who was kicked off the 2021 ballot as an independent mayoral candidate after being declared ineligible and is the husband of independent Ward 7 Councilor Amber White, said he will try to run for mayor in 2025.

White said he used Tuesday’s election “as an opportunity to collect signatures to be on the ballot for next year’s mayoral election. It was also a good time to engage with our city’s registered voters.”

Like White, Youngstown Flea founder Derrick McDowell has filed a treasurer designation with the board of elections that allows him to begin raising money for an independent campaign.

McDowell has a campaign website that has been taken down as he prepares to make an announcement.

When the site was live, it said McDowell would hold a meet-and-greet event on Nov. 18, presumably to announce his candidacy.

McDowell did not return phone calls from The Vindicator seeking comment Wednesday.

McDowell resigned Oct. 15 as coordinator of community engagement and inclusion for the city-owned Wean Park Complex, which includes Wean Park, the Covelli Center, the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater and the Huntington Bank Community Walkway. The position, which McDowell had held since May 2019, paid $40,000 annually with no benefits.

McDowell founded the Youngstown Flea — a market for local vendors and artists — in October 2015 and moved in 2021 to a former industrial building at 365 E. Boardman St. The structure, built in 1970, received a $2.68 million state brownfield rehabilitation grant in August. for a remodeling project.

Brown could face opposition in the Democratic primary, as he did four years ago, when he defeated two challengers and then won the general election. Brown also successfully defeated then-incumbent Mayor John A. McNally in the 2017 Democratic primary—and won the general election—after losing to McNally in the 2013 primary.

A possible Democratic primary candidate mentioned for 2025 is Councilwoman Samantha Turner, D-3rd Ward.

Turner said Wednesday he had no comment on a potential run.

“I didn’t really give him a decision,” she said. “I’m not at that stage yet.”

While Youngstown is heavily Democratic, the county Republican Party may consider seeking a candidate to run for the seat in 2025.

February 5 is the submission deadline for the May 7 partisan primary. Independent candidates should file by May 6.