Analysis of Portage City Council Races

Among the races to be decided in November are five spots on the Portage City Council. The elections are nonpartisan.

Jobs, weathering the economy are priorities for Portage candidates

Portage City Council: Questions and answers

Portage City Council: Meet the candidates

There is the Mayor of Portage, which is elected every two years. Mayor Peter Strazdas is running unopposed for reelection. Strazdas is a moderate to conservative Republican who seems to have done a decent job. He opposes raising taxes.

There are three four year seats on the council up for election. The three incumbents, Claudette Reid, Ed Sackley, and Terry Urban are all running for reelection. They are being challenged by Cory Bailes. The three incumbents are all fairly moderate, while Bailes' political preferences are unknown at this time.

There is one two-year partial term up for election. This seat is currently held by Ted Vliek, who is not seeking reelection. He filled the seat following the vacancy created when Larry DeShazor was elected to the state legislature. There are four candidates running for the seat: Tom Fox, Jim Pearson, Patricia Randall, and Phil Stinchcomb. Stinchcomb is a conservative, while the political preferences of the others are unclear.

All the candidates seem fairly credible and capable. Strazdas and the four candidates seeking the partial term have all ruled out raising taxes, while the incumbents and Bailes have all hedged their answers on the question.