Columbia City Council Wards 1, 5 election to have contested races in April

Four people had sufficient petitions to be candidates on the April ballot for Wards 1 and 5 in Columbia.

There are two candidates for each ward, meaning there are contested races in both races.

Candidates had to submit petitions by 5 p.m. Tuesday, which included at least 50 signatures from those who live and are registered to vote within their respective ward, to be considered official for the April ballot. All four received the necessary signatures, Columbia City Clerk Sheela Amin confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

Ward 1

Pat Fowler

Incumbent Pat Fowler seeks to retain her seat on the city council. She first was elected in 2020 to the council, replacing Clyde Ruffin, who had opted to not seek reelection. Her 2020 campaign website notes she first got involved in local politics and advocacy 20 years ago when a then development threatened worsening flooding her her North Sixth Street neighborhood. She had experience on various city boards and commissions, including the Downtown Leadership Council and the city’s first Public Transit Advisory Commission, prior to her election to the city council.

Nick Knoth

Nick Knoth is no stranger to running for elected office. He previously ran on the Democratic ticket for Boone County Recorder of Deeds, but was defeated by Bob Nolte in the August primary. Knoth during his previous campaign noted community involvement via countywide boards and commissions, such as former participation on the Columbia Housing and Community Development Commission and board of the The Family Access Center of Excellence. He has professional real estate experience and is a notary public.

Ward 5

Don Waterman

Don Waterman also has previous experience running for public office. He most recently ran as a Republican in 2016 for state representative for the 46th district of the Missouri House. He was defeated in the general election by Democrat Martha Stevens. Waterman works for American Outdoor Brands and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Gregg Bush

Gregg Bush first came to Columbia in 2006, also starting his career in health care, while also seeking his nursing degree, secured in 2012. In his candidate announcement Tuesday, he noted his "platform is centered on the preservation and maintenance of the City of Columbia and our shared values," adding he is "ready to serve and give back to the community that has given me so much."

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Four candidates make up contested Columbia City Council race