The City of Eureka has determined that an unnamed would-be challenger to 1st Ward Councilwoman Marian Brady has failed to qualify for the ballot.

In a press release, the city cited section 301 of the city charter as the reason the would-be candidate did not qualify. That section reads: "No person shall be eligible for the office of council member unless such person is at the time of assuming such office an elector of the city and was a registered voter and a resident of the city and of the ward from which such person is seeking election at the time nomination papers are issued to such person..." So, I guess that settles that.

PREVIOUSLY:

As Friday’s deadline closed to qualify to run for seats on the Eureka City Council, the city sent out a press release confirming that there will be challenged races in the 5th and 3rd wards. No surprises there, as Natalie Arroyo and Kim Bergel have both long since announced their intentions to take on incumbents Chet Albin and Mike Newman, respectively.

The surprise comes in the city’s 1st ward, where a number of candidates have been rumored but haven’t made any official announcements. The city’s release includes the following, “We have received signatures for another candidate but are awaiting verification of qualification.” Who could be attempting to challenge incumbent Marian Brady? A Journal request to City Clerk Pam Powell to release the name has so far gone unanswered, so we’re left guessing.

In qualify to run for a council seat in Eureka, you must be a registered voter whose primary residence is within the ward you are seeking to represent. Additionally you must secure 15 to 20 valid signatures from registered city voters to nominate you as a candidate. The mystery candidate's pending "verification of qualification" seems likely to hinge on either confirming that he or she lives within the 1st ward or validating his or her nominating signatures.

The release also notes that Mayor Frank Jager will be running unopposed, squashing any persistent rumors out there that former councilman and supervisorial candidate Chris Kerrigan would resume his candidacy for the post.

We’ll update this post as we get more information. In the meantime, see the city’s full press release below:

City of Eureka
Office of the City Clerk

PRESS RELEASE

Date: August 8, 2014

The following nominees have qualified for the ballot for offices of the City of Eureka, at the General Municipal Election to be held November 4, 2014:


Office of Mayor

Frank J. Jäger
3815 G Street
Eureka, CA 95503
(707) 443-2051
Email: frankjager499@yahoo.com


Office of City Council – Ward 1:

Marian Brady
803 Pine Street
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 443-8282
Email: mbdesign@suddenlink.net

We have received signatures for another candidate but are awaiting for verification of qualification.

Office of City Council – Ward 3:

Mike L. Newman
1624 E Street, Apt. D
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 443-0403
Email: insmike1313@yahoo.com

Kim Bergel
1312 K Street
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 616-2178
Email: kswalford@sbcglobal.net


Office of City Council – Ward 5:

Chet Albin
1124 Thomas Street, Apt. D
Eureka, CA 95503
(707) 498-3896
Email: chetweott@yahoo.com

Natalie C. Arroyo
2127 C Street
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 442-6664
Email: nataliec_arroyo@yahoo.com