John Alexander is the only candidate who filed to run by Friday’s election registration deadline. He is running as a Republican to fill the unexpired term of Joel Branscom, who was selected by the Virginia General Assembly in January for a judgeship in the 25th Judicial Circuit.

Branscom was first elected commonwealth’s attorney in 1995 and ran unopposed until he moved on to the judgeship early this year.

Under state law, Alexander, the assistant commonwealth’s attorney, moved into the position until a special election could select a nominee to serve out the rest of Branscom’s term, which ends Dec. 31, 2019.

The position will be on the ballot again next November for candidates to run for a regular four-year term.

Alexander worked as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Roanoke County before being hired for the same job in Botetourt County in 2006.

The mayoral seats for Buchanan, Fincastle and Troutville are also up for election, with the current mayors of all three being the only candidates who filed by Friday’s deadline.

Four Buchanan Town Council seats are open and seven people have filed to run: James Manspile, Christopher Witt, John Mays, Brenda Noszek, Diane Di Palma, Joe Di Palma and Nate Hansard.

Three Fincastle Town Council seats are open and three people have filed to run: George Sydnor, Paige Ware and Edward Bordett.

Three Troutville Town Council seats are up for election and four people have filed to run: H. John Cook, Patricia Shaver, Granville Grant and Spurgeon Vaughan.