Members of the Wicomico County Republican Central Committee are reviewing applications for the seat that will soon be vacated by County Councilman Marc Kilmer, who will resign June 15.

Central Committee members received more than 20 applications and will reduce the number to four finalists. Those names will be sent to the County Council by June 5. County Council members will appoint the successful candidate within 60 days.

Kilmer, 41, a Republican who represents District 2, and who is serving his second term, is moving back to his native Idaho, to care for family members.

Applications for the seat were accepted until May 24. Applicants were required to be of the same political affiliation, to reside in the same district as Kilmer and to submit a letter of interest to Mark McIver, Central Committee Chairman.

“We had a very good response,” McIver said, explaining there was a mix of men and women, young adults and those retired, a group that closely matches the county’s demographic.

“The process now is for this committee to meet and review them all and to come up with four names we feel are the most qualified to fill Marc’s position. It’s going to be very challenging. They look like really good candidates. It’s great that people are willing to step up and serve,” McIver said.

County Council President John Cannon said this week he was pleased with the number of candidates and confident the Central Committee will provide the names to the council as quickly as possible.

Kilmer, who has lived in Salisbury 13 years, said he’s sure “somebody of quality will be chosen and continue doing the job.”

“I’m very appreciative people are saying nice things about me but I trust somebody else will come along and do a good job,” he said.

He credited the council for “doing a lot of good work in terms of fiscal conservatism, trying to be fiscally conservative.”

“I have tried to stand up for the people of Wicomico County. I hope that continues, especially looking out for the rural residents. That’s something I tried to bring to the council and I certainly hope that will continue,” Kilmer said.

“District 2 is probably the most rural district, because it includes the least amount of Salisbury. That’s just the nature of the district. I grew up in a rural area and that’s what I’m returning to. That’s where my heart is,” he said.