While the first of the Presidential debates played out over national television on Monday night, candidates for a variety of offices in the local area are quietly going about their business, putting up campaign signs, showing up in advertisements and, in the case of city council hopefuls, preparing for a debate of their own.

Contested races on the local ballot for Nov. 8 include challenger Nicholas Caton, a Realtor/farmer, who is seeking to replace incumbent Amy Bavaro in Trustee Area 3 (Van Allen) on the Escalon Unified School District Board. Incumbent Martha Coelho, Dent Rural Area 4, is also running for re-election but has no challenger and so does not appear on the ballot.

The Escalon Fire District Board has three candidates seeking to fill two available posts. Both incumbents, Steve Reichmuth and Jim New – who were both appointed in lieu of an election the last time they secured their seats – will square off in a three-way race with challenger Josh Cummings, a Fire Captain/Paramedic. The top two vote getters will earn the positions.

The Escalon City Council also has three candidates seeking two seats – incumbent Jeff Laugero, former councilman Walter Murken and challenger Will Smith – and they will meet in a candidate forum (see related story) next week.

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, meanwhile, is terming out of her 12th District Assembly seat and challengers for the post are former county supervisor Ken Vogel and firefighter Heath Flora. At the State Senate level, incumbent Cathleen Galgiani is being challenged by Alan Nakanishi in the Fifth Senate District that includes Escalon.

Incumbent Congressman Jeff Denham, this region’s 10th District representative, is being challenged by Michael Eggman.

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to cast ballots on the local, state and national races as well as a number of propositions.