Oestreich not running for re-election
By Kevin O’Brien and Nathaniel Underwood
As of right now, area voters are most likely to see only familiar names on the April 1 ballot, with just one incumbent declaring noncandidacy by last Friday’s deadline.
Colby School Board member Lony Oestreich declared non-candidacy, while fellow incumbent Cody Gumz has submitted papers to run for re-election. Board member Teri Hanson will also be up for re-election in April. For the Abbotsford School Board, incumbents Sharon Archambo, Gary Schraufnagel and Nathan Jakel have all turned in their paperwork to be on the ballot. Jakel was recently appointed to fill a vacancy left by Ivone Vazquez, who resigned in October.
Whichever two candidates receive the most votes on April 1 will earn three-year terms, while the candidate who comes in third will serve the two-year remainder of Vazquez’s term.
In the city of Abbotsford, Mayor Jim Weix along with Alds. Mason Rachu, Kevin Flink, Sarah Diedrich and Jon Podevels will reach the end of their current terms in April. So far, Mayor Weix, and Alds. Rachu and Diedrich have submitted papers to be on the ballot.
In the city of Colby, Ward 1 Ald. Jason Lindeman, Ward 2 Ald. Dan Hederer and Ward 3 Ald. Randy Hesgard will all be up for re-election in the April election.
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Lony Oestreich Candidates
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On the state level, the April 1 ballot will feature a State Supreme Court race involving justice Ann Walsh Bradley, whose term ends on July 31, 2025. District 3 court of appeals judge Lisa K. Stark and state superintendent of schools Jill Underly will also be up for reelection.
Those wishing to be on the spring ballot have until Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 5 p.m to submit declarations of candidacy, nomination signatures and other required paperwork. If no candidates declare their candidacy for an open seat, the deadline for candidates to register will be extended three days until Friday, Jan. 10, at 5 p.m.
