By SANDY McGEE

CUMBERLAND — The deadline to declare candidacy for town offices Wednesday spawned some surprising results, from a mirror image mayoral race to the potential for a Republican primary

 The town’s mayoral race will be a  re-run of the contest two years ago after both former Mayor David S. Iwuc and current Mayor Daniel J. McKee declared their bids for the top office Wednesday.
“I look forward to this campaign,” McKee said in a recent press release. “The campaign will be a time to remind voters of the success that my administration has demonstrated in economic development, senior program expansion and innovative education initiatives.”
McKee, of 12 Hillside Road, is seeking his fourth term in office. He served from 2001 to 2005 and was elected again in 2006. In 2004 Iwuc won the mayorship after defeating McKee in the Democratic primary and then staving off a write-in challenge from McKee in the general election.
McKee has made several headlines these past months with his advocacy for an end to the state’s moratorium on charter schools, the push to create the Mayoral Academy and the announcement of a CVS expansion at Highland Corporate Park.
He is an active member of the Coalition of Communities Improving Rhode Island, a group of mayors and administrators from several Rhode Island communities. During this past term, he created the town’s Office of Children, Youth and Learning, an education initiative.
McKee, a former member of the Town Council, is the co-owner of the Woonsocket Health and Racquetball Club on Social Street in Woonsocket.
He received a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He was recently appointed to serve on the House Pension Review Commission. 
Iwuc, of 179 Little Pond County Road, is a Marine veteran, a former state representative and a former member of the Cumberland Police Department.
He retired from the police department as a sergeant after 22 years in 2003. From 1997 to 2002, he was the representative of House District 68, but lost a re-election bid in the Democratic primary when districts were consolidated.
Iwuc said two years ago that his accomplishments during his administration included helping the town purchase open space, holding the line on taxes and working on projects to improve issues of drainage in the town. He did not immediately return calls for comment on Wednesday.
Other races in town could lead to a possible Republican primary, the first in decades for a town office, according to local residents.
“As long as I remember, there’s never been a Republican primary for local office,” said Bonnie Large of Cumberland.
Setting the stage for such a primary is the race for the District 5 seat on the Town Council. Candidates for the seat are Republicans Christine M. Avella of 200 Heroux Boulevard and Mark G. Dosdourian of 26 Alton Ave., and Democratic candidates Theodore R. Vecchio Jr. of 7 Camp St. and incumbent Mia A. Ackerman of 6 Shelter Lane.
Declaring candidacy for the two at-large seats on the Town Council are Charles D. Wilk, 315 Abbott Run Valley Road; James McLaughlin, 15 Garden St.; incumbent and Council President James T. Higgins, 25 Rhode Island Ave.; and incumbent Bruce A. Lemois of 60 Mohawk St.
Incumbent Town Council member Antonio J. Albuquerque of 46 Howe St. will campaign for re-election for the District 1 seat against opponents Robert J. Dias of 23 Abbott St. and Thomas P. Tougas of 46 Harrison St.
E. Craig Dwyer of 7 Barway Lane has announced his declaration for the District 2 seat on the Town Council, which is currently held by Jeffrey Mutter.
Mutter, who also chairs the Finance Subcommittee, has decided to not run for a second term.
Incumbent Jason B. Kirkpatrick of 307 Abbott Run Valley Road is running for re-election as the sole candidate for the District 4 seat.
Campaigning for the District 3 seat on the Town Council are Democrats James C. Hartke of 9 Cargil Road; Paul Simoes, 21 Barberry Hill Road; and incumbent Kelley Nickson-Morris of 60 Country Hill Road.
Four individuals, including two incumbents, are running for the district at-large seat on the Cumberland School Committee. The candidates are Paul DiModica of 15 Sharon Drive; Ryan William Pearson, 200 Manville Hill Road; incumbent Robert C. Thibodeau of 7 White Pine Drive, who is running for his eighth term on the board; and incumbent Lisa A. Beaulieu of 196 Hines Road.
A husband and wife are both poised to vie for the District 1 seat on the School Committee. Declaring candidacy for the seat are Rosa Quinonez Crowley, a former School Committee member, and current School Committee chairman Frederic C. Crowley, both of 15 Liberty St.
Also campaigning for the District 1 seat is newcomer Kelly A. Connerton of 36 Dexter St.
Candidates for District 2 on the School Committee are Daniel L. Pedro of 790 High St. and incumbent W. David Wagner of 37 North Garden St.
Declaring candidacy for the District 3 seat are John V. Gibbons of 54 High Ridge Drive; Amanda Clarke, 15 Country Hill Road; and incumbent Donald J. Costa of 23 Ohio Ave.
Brian J. Kelly of 8 Hayfield Lane will campaign against Thomas F. Letourneau of 24 Old Reservoir Road for District 4 on the School Committee.
Incumbent Earl T. Wood of 48 Farm Drive is running for re-election as the sole candidate for the District 5 spot on the seven-member board.