Washington’s First Ward back up for grabs

WASHINGTON — Washington City Council Member Bethany Glinsmann said she does not plan to seek re-election as her term in the position comes to a close, leaving the first ward’s seat undefended as the filing period begins for 2023 local elections.

“My husband and I are planning to take some time to travel,” Glinsmann said in a phone call Tuesday afternoon. “The timeline’s not set in stone, but I think it’s really unlikely that we will stay in town for the whole four-year term.”

Glinsmann’s upcoming departure continues a revolving door trend for the first ward’s council seat, which has changed names several times in recent memory. Nobody elected to the position has completed a full four-year term serving the ward since at least before 2015, the oldest year of election results posted online by Washington County.

Kerry Janecek won the role that year, but vacated it in 2018, citing personal reasons in a move that opened the door to a special election where Danielle Pettit-Majewski came out on top. She went on to run unopposed in 2019, but resigned in early 2022 shortly before moving to Johnson County. The resulting vacancy-filling special election ended in a close victory for Glinsmann in April of last year.

Glinsmann said she was grateful for the experience during her stint on the council.

  Buy Photo

“I would love to be able to keep serving up until I hit the road, but that’s just not the way the election timing worked out,” she said. “I really enjoyed everything I’ve learned, and getting to serve in my role on city council and getting to learn more about how our city works. I’m hoping somebody who’s enthusiastic about our town will step up and run for the position.”

The two other incumbents up for re-election — Ward three’s Illa Earnest and at-large member (plus Mayor Pro Tem) Millie Youngquist — said they both planned to seek another term on the council.

Those interested in running for any of the three open seats have until Sept. 21 to file as candidates, according to a city flyer shared with news media Tuesday afternoon. That flyer said anyone interested could pick up an affidavit of candidacy and nomination petition from Washington City Hall during business hours.

City Clerk Sally Hart said nominees would need a minimum of 25 signatures on their nomination petitions to have a space on the ballot, but that the city would “encourage people to get more.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com