WEST WARWICK — The prospect of a Democratic primary race for the Town Council in Ward 2 has evaporated.

Former Building Official Stephen D. Murray, who had declared his candidacy for the council seat held by David Gosselin Jr., did not return nominating papers by Friday’s deadline.

Yesterday, he had nothing but praise for the incumbent. “He’s his own man,” Murray said. “And I think he will continue to do a good job. …”

Gosselin said he was glad there would be no primary contest, because now he can devote all his attention to the November election, in which he is being challenged by Republican Tegan M. Harrington — the daughter of GOP Town Committee Vice Chairman David Cerullo.

Aside from Murray and Democrat Michael R. Lombardi, who late last month abandoned his primary challenge to House Speaker William J. Murphy, in District 26, the Board of Canvassers reported it has certified the nominating papers of all who had declared for local and legislative offices.

Of the five incumbents on the all-Democrat council, only Angelo A. Padula Jr., in Ward 1, faces no opposition.

Council President Edward A. Giroux will face Republican Gary W. Trott for the Ward 3 seat. Vice President Peter F. Calci Jr. and Republican Mark E. Bourget are set for a rematch in the Ward 5 race. Filomena Gustafson will face Republican Langdon D. Clough for the Ward 4 seat.

There will be two General Assembly primaries — one for each political party — this fall. Sen. Stephen D. Alves faces a three-way Democratic primary in District 9 against Paul P. Caianiello Jr. and Michael J. Pinga.

On the Republican side, Thomas K. Jones, making his sixth bid for the legislature, and newcomer (and party-endorsed) Ericka J. Atwell will square off to see who will challenge Rep. Patricia A. Serpa, D-District 27. Also on the November ballot for the seat is David Michael, an independent.

Rep. Timothy A. Williamson is unopposed for his District 25 seat.

The race for three School Committee seats is finally set after candidates were required to resubmit their declaration forms because of an administrative error. Two of the seats up for grabs come with the traditional four-year term. One, because of early filling of a vacancy, comes with only a two-year term.

The candidates for the seats carrying four-year terms are Democrats Bruce E. Vanasse and James A. Williamson Jr., both incumbents, and Vincent D. Bradley; and Republican Lynn M. Ponte and independent Thomas F. Duffy. Democrat John A. Pettinicchio Jr. and Republican Christopher J. Boucher are competing for the two-year term.

The Democratic Town Committee has endorsed all of the incumbents in the Town Council, School Committee and legislative races, said Chairman Frank A. Giorgio. The committee also has endorsed school board candidate Pettinicchio.

“We have record of accomplishment to run on and basically, if the electorate was to look at each candidate individually and what they’ve accomplished in their terms, there is no reason to not bring them back,” Giorgio said. “As I look at the opposition, I don’t see any viable alternative to the people that are there.”

Cerullo, his Republican counterpart, said the GOP is confident in its slate of candidates. In addition to Atwell, the party has endorsed Boucher and Ponte for School Committee and Trott, Clough, Bourget and Harrington for Town Council.

“We’ve got good candidates and we’re ready to go door to door and once people get to meet them, and see what they bring and the values they have, they’re going to be happy,” he said. “People are ready for a change.”

tbuford@projo.com