POCATELLO -- Nearly 30 local residents are vying for municipal and school board positions across the Pocatello-Chubbuck area.
The Bannock County Election Office released the candidate list for the upcoming November election following the closure of the filing deadline at 5 p.m. on Aug. 29, setting the stage for competitive races in multiple key positions. And the list has the potential to grow if local taxing districts submit candidate filings to the election office before the deadline at 5 p.m. Friday.
Pocatello mayor's race features seven candidates
The race for Pocatello's top executive position has drawn significant interest, with seven candidates competing to challenge incumbent Brian Blad in the mayoral race.
Blad will face challenges from Steven Brown, Greg Cates, Mark Dahlquist, Nate Kessel, Idaho Law-Carta Sierra-Idaho Lorax, and Alana Leonhardy in what could be one of the most competitive mayoral contests in recent memory.
Three Pocatello City Council seats up for grabs
Pocatello City Council Seat No. 4 features the appointed incumbent Dakota Bates defending his position against challenges from James Bucci and Jim Young in a three-way race.
Pocatello City Council Seat No. 5 presents voters with four options, with incumbent Linda Leeuwrik facing opposition from Jeremy Marley, Stacy Satterfield and Keven Lewis.
Pocatello City Council Seat No. 6 will see two candidates, Melissa Hartman and Ann Swanson, facing off against one another after incumbent and Republican state lawmaker Rick Cheatum decided not to seek re-election.
Chubbuck elections include contested mayor's race
The city of Chubbuck will also see competition for its mayor's office, with two candidates seeking the position. Chubbuck's former Public Works Director Rodney T. Burch is challenging incumbent Mayor Kevin England for the position.
For Chubbuck City Council positions, Seat No. 2 has only one candidate, Roger Hernandez, who will run unopposed. Seat No. 4 features a contested race between challenger Mandy Peace and incumbent Norman G. Reece Jr.
School District 25 has three contested board races
School District 25 Board of Trustees elections will take place across three zones, each featuring competitive races between incumbents and challengers.
Zone 1 will see appointed board member Megan Furniss facing a challenge from Cami Ellis as both seek to secure the position.
Zone 2 presents incumbent Heather Clarke against challenger Douglas Johnson in a head-to-head contest. And Zone 5 features incumbent Deanna Judy facing opposition from former school board member Dave Mattson.