Thirteen candidates have registered for the March 2 Cordova General Election. This includes seven candidates for Cordova School Board, the highest number in at least a decade.
School board president Barb Jewell said she thought the unusual schooling conditions of the past year may have helped focus public attention on education issues.
“I’m so excited — really, truly!” Jewell said. “I’m excited that this many people are interested and paying attention to education in Cordova.”
It’s essential for board members to attend all local meetings and to embrace collaborative work between the board and school staff and administration, said school board member Pete Hoepfner, who is running for reelection.
“It is excellent to see the increased engagement of local citizens who want to become involved with the Cordova School District,” Hoepfner said.
Candidates for two school board seats include incumbent Hoepfner, as well as Aaron Hansen, Henk Kruithof, Bree Mills, Katie Jo Roemhildt, Erin Stoermer and Emily Taylor.
Candidates for three Cordova Community Medical Center Authority Board seats include incumbent Linnea D. Ronnegard, as well as Elizabeth Senear.
Candidates for Cordova City Council Seat D include incumbent Melina Meyer and challenger Karen Deaton Perry. Candidates for Cordova City Council Seat E include incumbent Anne Schaefer and challenger Ken Jones.
Early voting in the Cordova General Election begins Tuesday, Feb. 9. A citizen may declare themselves a write-in candidate until the day of the election.
Mayor Clay Koplin said that the U.S. government was designed to work best with high public engagement.
“With record turnouts for the 2020 national elections and those declaring their willingness to serve on city council, school board, CCMC Authority Board, and city boards and commissions, I think we are seeing that engagement,” Koplin said. “My hope is that city elections in March will continue this trend with record high local voter turnout that establishes Cordova voters as a strength in our community at both the local, state and national levels — leaders pay attention to communities that vote in strength.”
