Candidates declare for Jamestown, school board seats

Masaki Ova, The Jamestown Sun, N.D.
·3 min read

Apr. 3—Editor's note: This story has been updated and now includes individuals who have filed completed petitions for seats on the Stutsman County Commission.

JAMESTOWN — Several individuals have declared their candidacy to run for citywide and school board seats.

Individuals have until 4 p.m. Monday, April 8, to return completed petitions.

The primary election is on June 11, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.

Races for Jamestown City Council, Jamestown Parks and Recreation Commission and Jamestown Public School Board will be decided on June 11.

Current Jamestown City Council members Brian Kamlitz and David Schloegel have filed completed petitions to seek reelection for their seats. Kamlitz and Schloegel were elected in 2020.

Three City Council seats up for election. Dan Buchanan's seat is also up for election.

Pam Phillips and Bob Toso have filed completed petitions to seek election to the City Council. Phillips has served three terms on the City Council — the most recent from 2016 to 2020. Toso is seeking his first term.

The City Council seats are four-year terms.

Jamestown Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mark Ukestad has filed a completed petition to seek reelection. Ryan Harty also filed a completed petition to run for a seat on the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Commission.

The two Parks and Recreation Commission seats up for election are four-year terms.

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson said signatures on the completed candidate petitions have been verified. She said a drawing will be held Tuesday afternoon, April 9, to decide the order the candidates will be placed on the ballot.

Jamestown Public School Board members Jamie Bear and Aaron Roberts have filed statements of intent and interest to run for reelection for their respective city and rural seats. Owen McKenna has also filed statements of intent and interest for a school board seat.

Voters will decide three city seats and one rural seat on the school board on June 11.

Bear was appointed to the school board in March 2023 to serve the remainder of Roger Haut's term. A vacancy on the school board was created after Haut passed away in January 2023.

Roberts was elected to his first term in 2020.

Any potential school board candidates have until 4 p.m. Monday, April 8, to file statements of intent and interest with the Jamestown Public School District's central office.

Voters in Stutsman County will decide which candidates advance to the general election for three seats on the Stutsman County Commission.

George Barnes has filed a completed petition for a four-year term. Amanda Hastings has filed a completed petition for a two-year unexpired term.

Jessica Alonge, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, said the petitions have been verified.

The commission seats are currently held by Mark Klose, Joan Morris and Levi Taylor. The seats for Klose and Morris are four-year terms.

Klose is not seeking reelection. He is completing his 10th term and 40th year as a county commissioner this year.

Taylor's seat will be on a separate ballot line. Taylor was appointed by the county commission in September to fill a vacant seat that was created after the death of Commissioner Steve Cichos in August. The term expires in 2026.

The top four vote-getters for the seats of Klose and Morris will advance to the general election on Nov. 5. The top two vote-getters for Taylor's seat will advance to the general election on Nov. 5.