FIRST DAY FILERS. Republicans and Democrats flocked to the secretary of state’s office on Wednesday as the 2018 filing period opened.Among Republicans, in the U.S. House races, Steve Negron and Bob Burns filed for the District 2 seat, while Andy Martin and Michael Callis filed in the 1st Congressional District.District 1 Executive Councilor Joe Kenney made it official. He’ll have a primary opponent, Kim Strathdee of Lincoln.James Beard of Lempster filed for the District 2 council seat, while incumbents Russell Prescott and David Wheeler filed in Districts 3 and 5, respectively.Filing as state Senate Republican candidates were incumbents Gary Daniels in District 11, John Reagan in District 17 and Bill Gannon in District 23. Former Sen. David Boutin filed in District 16, while Peter Macdonald filed in District 21. In District 12, Richard Dowd filed to challenge Sen. Kevin Avard in a primary.Democrats were led by 1st District U.S. House candidates Mark MacKenzie and Chris Pappas.For the Executive Council, former councilor Debora Pignatelli filed in District 5, while perennial candidate Michael Cryans filed in District 1.Two Libertarian candidates also filed -- Tom Alciere for the 2nd Congressional District seat and Ian Freeman for the state Senate in District 10.Looking ahead, U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter will accompany her friend and former chief of staff Naomi Andrews when Andrews files for the 1st District seat on Friday at 4 p.m.; Democratic 1st District Congressional candidate Mindi Messmer will file on June 12 at 1 p.m.; Democratic candidate for governor Steve Marchand will file on June 14 at 11 a.m.; Republican 1st District Congressional candidate Eddie Edwards will file on June 14 at 10 a.m.; Republican 2nd District U.S. House candidate Stewart Levenson will file Thursday at 3 p.m.; and Democratic candidate for governor Molly Kelly is expected to file on the final day, June 15.