The ex-fiancee of a former Superior city councilor will vie for his vacated seat.
Kara Schmidt said Wednesday she intends to apply for the 6th District seat once held by Graham Garfield, who resigned earlier this month amid facing criminal charges for a domestic incident in April.
Additionally, Tylor Elm said he will also apply for the seat. In an election earlier this year, Elm, 32, challenged Garfield for the council seat and lost by a single vote.
Schmidt, 28, said she understands that there’s interest in her situation, but doesn’t want it to detract from her “progressive platform” to support workers’ rights, bring good jobs to the area, provide affordable housing and support restrained spending.
Schmidt is the chairwoman of the Douglas County Democrats. She said civic engagement is a core value for her, and that the incident in April prompted her to run for office.
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“After going through that, I always knew that I really want to use that instance as a way to fuel myself to put good out in the world,” she said.
Meanwhile, Elm, co-owner of discoverPC.net on Tower Avenue, said he will stand by his campaign platform in his renewed bid. Elm cited fiscal responsibility and wanting to clean up the city’s drug problem as priorities.
“I owe it to the citizens to continue,” he said. “I deeply care for this city and I’m going to pursue this.”
The Superior City Council is seeking an interim councilor in advance of a special election next year for the seat vacated by Garfield.
Applicants will be invited to the June 6 council meeting, and each will be given up to 5 minutes to state their case.
A special election has been scheduled for April 3 next year for a one-year term, said a city news release on Wednesday.
Applicants must reside in the 6th District, be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old and not disqualified from voting under Wisconsin statute.
Applicants must submit nomination paperwork with at least 20 signatures from qualified voters in the 6th District, along with a letter of interest, by May 31 to the city clerk’s office.
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Nomination papers can be picked up at the city clerk’s office at 1316 N. 14th St., Suite 200, or online at elections.wi.gov/forms/EL-169 .
