Durham's Libertarians will have a presence in this fall's municipal election. Matt Drew, Durham County party chairman, told the News & Observer Tuesday that he plans to file for the city council's Ward 2 seat.

Drew would be running against incumbent Howard Clement, the longest-serving city councilman in Durham's history. Clement has held a seat since 1983.

With Drew's filing, Libertarians would carry on a growing presence in Durham politics. In 2008, three party members challenged Democratic incumbents (unsuccessfully) for the state legislature; Republicans fielded only one candidate.

Municipal elections in Durham are non-partisan. Filing opens at 8:30 Monday for mayor and three ward seats on the city council. Those are the city's only contests for public office this year.

For more on Durham's 2009 election, see Saturday's Durham News.