Insurance agent Jeremy Johnson seeks at-large Longmont City Council seat
Jun. 23—Jeremy Dejuan Johnson, an insurance agent who has lived in Longmont for eight years, is seeking one of the two at-large City Council seats up for election in November.
Johnson said in an email that he would be a "strong voice for citizens of Longmont."
He said he felt that from his everyday interactions with residents through his business that people "don't feel like their issues or concerns are being heard or even being brought forth to the leadership. I will conduct myself as if all the issues that people or business owners bring to my attention will be my personal issues and strive to find the correct solution for their needs."
Johnson said one of his priorities as a council member would be for "transparent operations" in city government, "letting the public know where tax dollars are being spent" and "what grants, state or federal assistance can be used in the city of Longmont to offset some cost that generate more taxes."
Another priority would be "working with small business owners so they can continue to be the most important part of the continued growth of Longmont's economy." He said it's important to remember that "growth is good, but not all growth is important enough to choose over thriving businesses or forcing families out of their comfort zones."
He said, "I would love to visit with all the first responders" and their leadership "to put together ideas and resources to support them in all the professional and personal issues they face in our situations here in Longmont."
Johnson, an Armstrong Drive resident, said he is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. His community activities, he said, have been coaching basketball at Niwot High School. He said he is a member of Life Bridge Christian Church and the Fox Hill Country Club. He said this is his first run for elected government office.
Three other candidates have announced they are seeking one of the two at-large Longmont City Council seats up for election this year: Tallis Salamatian, an entrepreneur and business and financial advisor, Shiquita Yarbrough, the YWCA of Boulder County's director of community engagement and equity, and incumbent Councilman Aren Rodriguez, a real estate appraiser who's seeking re-election to a second four-year term.
Polly Christensen, one of the current at-large council members, is term limited and could not seek re-election. The top two vote-getters on Longmont's ballots in this year's at-large contest will win the two at-large seats.
Also up for election this year are Longmont's mayor's post and its Ward 2 Council seat.
Mayor Brian Bagley is not seeking re-election. So far, three people have filed affidavits with the City Clerk's Office that they are candidates for mayor — current Ward 1 Councilman Tim Waters, current Councilwoman at-large Joan Peck and Linden Street resident Greg Harris.
Incumbent Ward 2 Councilwoman Marcia Martin is seeking re-election and is thus far the only candidate filed for that seat.
Three seats are not up for election this year: the at-large council seat now filled by Peck, the Ward 3 seat now filled by Susie Hidalgo-Fahring and the Ward 1 seat now filled by Waters. If either Peck or Waters were to win the mayor's contest in November, a special election would be held to fill the council seat that person vacates.
To be on November's ballot, candidates must circulate nomination petitions. They can start doing that on Aug. 3 and must have completed gathering signatures and submit those petitions by 5 p.m. Aug. 23. Nomination petitions must contain the appropriate number of signatures for the particular seat and be signed by Longmont residents who are registered to vote. In the case of the offices of mayor and council member at-large, at least 50 signatures are required. For the Ward 2 seat, at least 25 signatures are required.
