Voting privacy screens set up in the Elberon Community Building during a special school election held last March. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TAMA COUNTY – The deadline to file as a candidate for the Tuesday, Nov. 7 city and school elections came and went last week with mostly incumbents vying for local seats alongside several newcomers.

Tama city election

In the city of Tama, two candidates filed for the four-year term mayor’s office including Brian Hanus and John Anderson. Hanus – previously a member of the city council and mayor pro tem – was sworn in as Tama’s mayor this past August following former Mayor Doug Ray’s resignation.

Kristy Eisentrager filed to run for Hanus’ two-year term vacancy on the city council – she has been serving in the role since being appointed and sworn in earlier this month.

Incumbent Larry Thomas and Danny Robinson both filed to run for one of three, four-year term council seats on the ballot. The third open seat could be filled by write-in votes.

Toledo city election

In the city of Toledo, incumbent mayor Brian Sokol was the only candidate to file for the two-year term mayor’s seat.

Two, four-year term council seats will also be on the Toledo ballot. Incumbents Joe Boll and Jeremy Cremeans filed paperwork to run for their seats, as did challenger Steve Vesely.

Chelsea city election

In the city of Chelsea, three, four-year term city council seats are up for election. All three incumbents filed to run for their respective seats including Aaron Balvin, Dixie Forcht, and Steve Van De Walle.

Elberon city election

In the city of Elberon, two, four-year term city council seats and the mayor’s two-year term seat are up for election. Incumbents filed paperwork for both the council seats and the mayor’s office including city councilors Nancy Braasch and Donald Curry, and Mayor Scott Pippert.

Montour city election

In the city of Montour, two candidates filed paperwork for the mayor’s four-year term seat including Vicky Garske and Tony Smith.

Ronald Green filed paperwork to fill a two-year term vacancy on the city council, while incumbents Jeff Hermanstorfer and Charles Bidwell both filed to run for their respective four-year term seats.

Vining city election

In the city of Vining, the entire city council’s five, two-year term seats as well as the mayor’s two-year term seat are up for election this year. No candidates filed paperwork for any of the seats which could be filled by write-in votes.

South Tama County Community School District

The South Tama County school board has three seats up for election this fall including seats in District 2, District 3, and District 4.

Jackie Ellenbecker of Tama was the only candidate to file for the District 2 seat, while Megan Thiessen of Tama was the only candidate to file for the District 3 seat.

Incumbent Clint Werner of Chelsea filed paperwork to run for reelection to his District 4 seat. He will face challenger Rick Hopper of Toledo who also filed for the District 4 seat.