Cleveland, Dayton and Ames mayoral races highlight municipal elections
The deadline for candidates to file in area city elections came last Friday afternoon and several contested races will be on the Saturday, May 6 ballot.
Three of the biggest races will surely be the mayoral contests in Cleveland, Dayton and Ames.
Cleveland Mayor Richard Boyett has opted not to seek another term, leaving a three-way contest between former councilman Danny Lee, Dr. Robert Wolfe and Rodney Harris. There are also two council seats on the Cleveland ballot, with neither incumbent seeking another term. The race for Position 1 will feature Julius Buckley, Durlene Davis and Brent McWaters in a race to replace outgoing councilwoman Carolyn McWaters. There will be three candidates in the race for Position 2, currently held by Marilyn Clay, with Roscoe Warwick, former councilman James Franklin and Jack Weighat looking to serve.
In Dayton, the race for the seat of incumbent Mayor Caroline Wadzeck will be between Mike George and Martin Mudd.
Two council positions are on the ballot, with Dayton Community Development Corporation Board President Tonya Smikal facing no opposition to replace outgoing councilman Andy Conner in Position 4. The race for Position 5 will see incumbent Alvin Burres face two opponents, with Valerie Barton and Ron Peroni looking to unseat the councilman.In Ames, incumbent mayor Cornelius Gilmore faces off with longtime community member Barbara Domain. There will also be a pair of council seats, with Position 3 incumbent Eddie White receiving a challenger in Rudy Cole. The race for Position 5 will feature incumbent Audrey Harrison against Reginald Rollins.
As for voters in Liberty, they will be electing at least one new council member this year, with longtime councilwoman Diane Driggers not seeking re-election. In that race for three at-large places, incumbents Libby Simonson and Dennis Beasley are seeking a new term, while John Hebert Jr. and Patti Barrow have both filed for a spot on the ballot.
In Daisetta, two spots will be on the ballot; with Position 2 incumbent Emily Shields not seeking another term, Margo Bishop Ryan and Ryan Taylor will compete for that seat. The race for Position 4 will see incumbent Chancie Bailey square off against Vorice “Scotty” Baucam.
In Plum Grove, three incumbents will be on the ballot, and all have drawn an opponent this go-round. The race for Position 1 will feature incumbent Deborah Bell against Rodney walker. The race for Position 3 will see Froy Ortiz against challenger Danielle Enloe. In the final race on the ballot, incumbent Diana Chun will vie for another term against Kevin Lee.
Finally, the folks in Hardin seem satisfied with their current leaders as incumbent Mayor Harry Johnson and councilmen Chris Goodwin and Harvey Finley will run unopposed.
All candidates running in contested races will draw for a place on the upcoming ballot in the coming days.
Early voting is set to begin Monday, April 24-28, and election day is set for Saturday, May 6. Keep up with all dates and times as election season approaches, and look for candidate announcements in The Vindicator.
CITY OF CLEVELAND
Mayor
Danny Lee
Dr. Robert Wolfe
Rodney Harris
Position 1
Julius Buckley
Durlene Davis
Brent McWaters
Position 2
Roscoe Warwick
James Franklin
Jack Weighat
CITY OF DAYTON
Mayor
Mike George
Martin Mudd
Position 4
Tonya Smikal
Position 5
Valerie Barton
Alvin Burress
Ron Peroni
CITY OF LIBERTY
Three at-large positions
Patti Barrow
Dennis Beasley
John Hebert Jr.
Libby Simonson
CITY OF AMES
Mayor
Barbara Domain
Cornelius Gilmore
Position 3
Rudy Cole
Eddie White
Position 5
Audrey Harrison
Reginald Rollins
CITY OF DAISETTA
Position 2
Margo Bishop Ryan
Ryan Taylor
Position 4
Chancie Bailey
Vorice “Scotty” Baucam
CITY OF PLUM GROVE
Position 1
Debra Bell
Rodney Walker
Position 3
Danielle Enloe
Froy Ortiz
Position 5
Diana Chun
Kevin Lee
CITY OF HARDIN
Mayor
Harry Johnson
Seat 1
Chris Goodwin
Seat 2
Harvey Finley