CHESAPEAKE — The next election for the office of Chesapeake’s mayor is not until November 2019, but one candidate has already announced for the race.

Judy Kinney says she has filed papers with the county board of elections and that she will legally be able to begin campaigning in January.

Kinney had been organizing a drive to collect signatures to incumbent mayor Tommy Templeton, following the resignation of police chief Randy Lewis in July.

Kinney, who had intended to run in a recall election, said the recall process was “too expensive” and that she has instead to file for the next election.

Kinney said her goal of running is “to build up Chesapeake.”

“I want to help Chesapeake, to clean up Chesapeake and to see to it that our officers are taken care of,” she said.

Templeton was elected in 2014 and took office in 2015.

In addition to the mayor’s race, two Chesapeake council seats will be on the 2019 ballot.