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

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, a Democrat, 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 continuing the forward progress that we have made,” Brown said Wednesday.

John White, who was removed from the 2021 ballot as an independent mayoral candidate after being ruled ineligible and is the husband of independent 7th Ward Councilwoman Amber White, said he will seek to run for mayor in 2025.

White said he used Tuesday’s election “as an opportunity to collect the signatures needed to be on the ballot for next year’s mayoral election. Also, it was a good time to interact with the registered voters of our city.”

Like White, Derrick McDowell, founder of the Youngstown Flea, filed a designation of treasurer with the board of elections that permits him to start 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 website was active it stated that McDowell would hold a meet-and-greet event on Nov. 18, presumably to announce his candidacy.

McDowell didn’t respond Wednesday to phone calls from The Vindicator seeking comment.

McDowell resigned Oct. 15 as community engagement and inclusion coordinator for the city-owned Wean Park Complex, which includes Wean Park, the Covelli Centre, Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and Huntington Bank Community Alley. 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 remediation grant in August for a redevelopment project.

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

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

Turner said Wednesday that she didn’t have a comment on a potential candidacy.

“I haven’t truly given it a decision,” she said. “I’m not really 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.

Feb. 5 is the filing deadline for the May 7 partisan primary. Independent candidates would have to file by May 6.