Though filing is still one month away, one candidate for Jefferson City Council is already getting started.
Erin Wiseman, an attorney with Brydon, Swearengen & England, officially kicked off her campaign for the 3rd Ward seat on the City Council earlier this month. Wiseman plans to file for the seat currently held by Bob Scrivner, who is term-limited and ineligible to seek re-election.
Wiseman said she began thinking about City Council through her term as president of the Jaycees, which is up Jan. 8. Through her term, she said she has gotten to know people on the council and become more interested in local government. Wiseman said service to the community is something that always ran in her family and now she'd like to get more involved.
"I've always had a real civic-minded family," Wiseman said.
Wiseman said city leaders have done a great job moving the community forward in the last few years and she is ready to get involved and help bring new ideas to fruition in Jefferson City.
"Jefferson City is really the heart of this county and the state," Wiseman said. "It's really important to the state that we thrive and have a great city."
Wiseman said issues particularly important to her are focused on safety in the 3rd Ward. Wiseman said there are elementary schools near very busy intersections and more sidewalks are needed to ensure children are walking safely around the city.
"I want to make sure that everybody is safe," Wiseman said.
She said the fact that Scrivner is not able to run for re-election was a factor in her decision to run, noting he's been a great council representative.
"His seat happened to be open and this is a good time for me," Wiseman said.
The city's filing period begins Dec. 15 and ends Jan. 20. Each council seat is for a two-year term. To run for City Council, candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of election, be a U.S. citizen and be a qualified voter of the city.
They also must have lived in the city for at least one year before the election and lived in the ward they wish to represent for six months before the election.
There is no filing fee to run for office; however, candidates must have endorsements from three people who live in the area the candidate wishes to represent, as well as a Department of Revenue Form 5120, which must be filed with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
The endorsements must be signed either before a notary public or before the city clerk.