City elections: Who's filed to run in Story County's communities?

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an error about the recent history of McCallsburg's mayoral seat.

Several Story County communities will determine a number of contested races as Iowa gears up for city elections Nov. 7

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 18, while the request deadline for absentee ballots is Oct. 23.

"City and school elected officials play a critical role in our day-to-day lives, so it’s vitally important for Iowans to make their voices heard in November’s elections,” Paul Pate, Iowa's secretary of state, said in a news release.

Here's who is running in Story County's city elections:

Who is running in Gilbert’s city election?

Gilbert Mayor Jonathan Popp is seeking reelection to a two-year term. He's in his 15th year as Gilbert mayor, serving since 2008.

There are more vacant seats than candidates running in the city council election, with two candidates for three seats.

Incumbents Shaon Anderson and David Frank Rydl are both seeking reelection. Anderson took office in 2008, and Rydl started in 2020.

More: Two new faces and ward changes highlight Ames' city and school election

Who is running in Story City’s city election?

Incumbents Jim O’Connor, Rhonda Ostrem and Connie Phillips are all unopposed in their efforts to retain their at-large seats on the Story City City Council.

O’Connor and Ostrem were both appointed to the council in 2020 to fill vacancies and were retained by voters in the 2021 election. Phillips was voted on to the council in 2016.

More: How to vote in Iowa's 2023 city and school elections, including early voting and absentee ballots

Who is running in Nevada’s city election?

Three candidates are running unopposed for seats on the Nevada City Council.

Incumbent Jason Sampson is seeking the at-large seat. He was appointed to the council to fill a vacancy in 2018 and then was elected by voters in the following election.

Incumbent Sandy Ehrig is seeking the Ward 3 seat. Ehrig was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2019.

Henry Corbin, the Ward 1 candidate, is a newcomer to the council but not to Nevada leadership. He was the director of the community’s Main Street District for several years.

Who is running in Huxley’s city election?

In Huxley, Mayor Kevin Deaton, who’s held the position since 2020, is not seeking reelection. Newcomer David Kuhn is running unopposed.

A competitive race is shaping up for the Huxley City Council, as five candidates seek two at-large seats. None of the candidates are incumbents and they include; Greg Mulder, John Murphy, Cory Rigler, Aaron Trowbridge and Jacob Vaughn.

Current city councilmembers Tracey Roberts, who’s served since 2012, and Kevin Thompson, who was appointed in 2022, are not seeking reelection.

Who is running in Slater’s city election?

Slater Mayor John Kahler, who has held the position since 2018, is not seeking reelection. Two candidates, Taylor Christensen and Gary Halverson, are competing for the two-year mayoral term.

However, Two city council seats are uncontested, as newcomer Craig Conley and incumbent Joel Newman seek the at-large seats. Newman has been a councilmember since 2020.

Who is running in Cambridge’s city election?

Six newcomers in Cambridge are vying for two at-large seats on the city council as current councilmembers Whitney Baxter and Riley Harper are not seeking reelection.

The six candidates on the ballot are Kylie Constant, Jayna Grauerholz, David Knight, Daniel Mortensen, Michael Peterson and Michelle Winscott.

Who is running in Collins’ city election?

Collins Mayor Brett Comegys, who took office in 2010, is running unopposed to retain that leadership seat.

On the Collins City Council, three candidates are competing for two at-large seats. Incumbent Stacy Howell and newcomers Suzan Richardson and Stephanie Smith are on the ballot for the seats. Howell has been on the council since 2020.

Current councilmember Andrew Coree, who took office in 2020, is not seeking reelection.

Who is running in Colo’s city election?

Colo Mayor Jeff Brinkman, appointed to the position this year, is unopposed as he seeks to retain the seat.

Incumbent Coltin Adams, who joined the council in 2020, and newcomer Martin Nicholas are running unopposed for two at-large seats on the council.

Who is running in Kelley’s city election?

Kenneth Kling, Kelley’s mayor since 2012, is not seeking reelection. Rick Terrones is running unopposed for the mayor’s seat.

Three candidates are running unopposed for three at-large seats on Kelley’s city council.

Incumbents Brendan Burtnett and Kelly Netcott as well as newcomer Jacqueline Lea Sapp are on the ballot. Burtnett was appointed to the council this year to fill a vacancy. Netcott has served since 2008. Current councilmember Sean Ringgenberg, who’s served since 2016, is not seeking reelection.

Who is running in Maxwell’s city election?

Current Mayor Dale Higgins, who was appointed in 2023 to fill a vacancy, is not seeking election. Joshua Herbert and Rick Herrmann are competing for the two-year mayoral term.

Two people are running for at-large seats on the city council, but three seats are available.

Incumbent Douglas Miller, who has been on the council since 2016, and newcomer Sue Philpott are on the ballot. Current councilmembers Steve Gast and Meggen Lawrence, who both joined the council in 2020, are not seeking reelection.

Who is running in McCallsburg’s city election?

Incumbent Mayor Megan Walker is seeking reelection. She was appointed to fill former mayor David Muth's seat after he resigned in early 2023. Muth won in 2021 against then-mayor Christopher Erickson, who won the role through a write-in campaign in 2018. Erickson was found guilty this year for committing fraud while he was in office.

Incumbents Jesse Bielenberg and Jonathan Muntz are running unopposed for two at-large seats on the council. Both candidates were appointed to fill vacancies on the council in 2022.

More: Former McCallsburg mayor found guilty of fraudulent practice in third degree

Who is running in Roland’s city election?

Mayor Andrew Webb, who took office in 2018, is not seeking reelection in Roland. Kurtis Bower is running unopposed.

Three candidates are running unopposed for three at-large city council seats, including incumbent Curtis Kentner and newcomers Aaron Burres and Jonathan Kepley. Kentner was appointed to the council in 2023.

Current councilmembers Russell Neely and Chance McDonald, who have served since 2020 and 2022, respectively, are not seeking reelection.

Who is running in Sheldahl’s city election?

In Sheldahl, three incumbents are running unopposed for three at-large seats on the city council. On the ballot are Kyle Greenwood, Ben Randolph and Travis Harris.

Who is running in Zearing’s city election?

Zearing Mayor Tim Reed, appointed to office in 2018 and subsequently elected to office, is not seeking reelection. Running unopposed for the mayoral seat is Martin Herr.

Four candidates are on the ballot vying for two city council seats, including incumbent Gerald Lee Murrell Jr. and newcomers Robin Johnson, Diane Pascuzzi and Ronald Stuart.

Murrell has served since 2016. Current councilmember David Skinner, who also joined the council in 2016, is not seeking reelection.

Ronna Faaborg is a reporter for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: What you need to know ahead of the Story County city elections