DOVER – The race for mayor is getting crowded.

Edward Correa, a former alderman, says he’s in and that he has a full slate of aldermen to run with him.

He spoke Monday morning about bringing compassionate leadership to town.

The filing deadline is two weeks away, but things are already interesting.

James Dodd, the former mayor who lost reelection four years ago as an independent, said last week he is running – this time as a Democrat. He has been a Democrat all his career, but ran as an independent in 2019 after a fallout with the Morris County Democratic organization.

Also rumored to be considering a run is Sandra Wittner, who sits on the board of aldermen.

And then, of course, there is Carolyn Blackman, the current mayor and the woman who narrowly beat Dodd four years ago.

Blackman has not publicly revealed her plans.

As for Correa, he talked about the need for redevelopment, park and recreation improvements and public safety. Regarding the last point, he said he wants a strong, but compassionate, approach in dealing with the homeless population.

Correa is a former alderman who lost in last year’s primary to Karol Ruiz by 33 votes.

Republicans have been stirring a bit of late, but as of now, this is a very Democratic town.

One key is which candidate gets the endorsement of the local Democratic committee. Correa said that will be decided at a town convention on March 26, the day before the filing deadline.