Cherokee County voters will decide several competitive city council and school board races next Tuesday, with some seats still lacking official candidates and others drawing fresh challengers.
In Cherokee, two city council seats remain open with no declared candidates. Tony Puffett, who was appointed to the council earlier this year, is running for mayor. His current seat, along with the Ward 2 seat, will likely be filled by write-in votes. Beth Ankrum, who had filled an at-large vacancy, is not seeking election.
Marcus voters will choose between incumbent Mayor Pat Bunt and challenger Gary Edwards, a sitting council member who plans to retain his seat if not elected mayor. Councilmen Conrad Ebert and Steve Schmillen are both seeking re-election.
In Aurelia, council member Roman Redig is running to succeed outgoing Mayor Denny Weathers. Three candidates are vying for city council: incumbents Brent Fassler and Sue Johnson, along with newcomer Jacquelyn Bleil.
Washta’s mayoral race features Brian Steineke, who hopes to succeed Jennifer Conner. Five residents are competing for three at-large council seats, while Larry Long and Ralph Riggs—both appointed earlier this year—are seeking to retain their positions.
Meriden voters will choose between April Schossow and Jim Thatcher for mayor, while Quimby Mayor Heidi Taylor is seeking re-election. Four candidates are in the running for city council.
School board races are also active across the county.
In Cherokee, incumbents Brian Freed and Ray Mullins are seeking re-election, while Sofia Seliger, a Cherokee alumna and South O’Brien school counselor, hopes to join the board.
Three candidates—Bill Sillau, Russell Godbersen, and Donald Meyer—are competing for two seats on the Marcus-Meridan-Cleghorn School District Board of Education. Longtime board members Luke Oleson and Belinda Leavitt are not seeking re-election.
And in the Alta-Aurelia school district, board president Tom Hinkeldey faces two challengers: Jayden Van Berkum and Lindsay Brown.
Election Day is next Tuesday, Nov. 4.
