Seats on Lamar City Council Opening for Candidates

The Lamar City Council will have either several new members, or at least one, following the November 5, 2019 coordinated election.

Current Lamar Mayor, Roger Stagner, has indicated that he will not run for re-election. However, Kirk Crespin, councilman from Ward 1 has stated he will run for that seat, leaving his position open for election for a two year, unfinished term.  The other Ward 1 representative, Anne-Marie Crampton has her four year term approaching its end, but she has not indicated at this time if she will run for a new term.  Those wishing to be a candidate for Lamar City Council may pick up their petitions for a minimum of 25 signatures of citizens within their particular ward.  The deadline for submission is 4pm, Monday, August 26^th to the City Clerk’s office.  Those wishing to run for mayor must have a minimum of 50 signatures from within the city limits of Lamar with no specific amount from any ward.

Other seats coming due this year are for Gerry Jenkins, councilwoman from Ward 2 and Beverly Haggard, councilwoman from Ward 3, both of whom are concluding four year terms. Rafael Rodriguez, from Ward 3 is also up for re-election as his two year term, filling a vacant seat from 2017, is coming to a close this year.  None of the other council representatives have indicated if they will seek additional terms at this time.  Petitions will become available for any qualified candidate on August 6^th.

The last day for any write-in candidates to file their notice is 4pm, Friday, August 30^th.  Lamar City Clerk, Linda Williams, told the council during their July 22^nd meeting that if by that point, the city does not have more petitions than there are vacancies, the city will cancel the election as there are no ballot questions to put before the voters for November 5^th.

By Russ Baldwin