Sioux Falls now has two more candidates for Mayor for next April’s election. City Councilman Pat Costello as expected has filed the Intention to Run Document with the City Clerks office.   Also declaring to become a candidate is Joshua Bradley. Bradley who is unknown in my political circle is a customer sales and service representative for Qwest.

Pat Costello is the only small businessman thus far in the Mayor’s race. Costello I expect will bring the pragmatic hands on problem solving to the Mayor’s office as he has done to his several restaurant enterprises. Costello also is a Certified Public Accountant and thus a numbers guy. On the City Council he has demonstrated these skills in his understanding of the City Budget and the more complex financial issues that have come before the Council.

Costello generally is progressive in advancing City growth, while at times opposing revenue increases preferring to pinch the penny whenever possible. It’s been a pretty narrow line for Pat to balance his pro growth and economic development and his naturally conservative philosophies. Pat is a member of the Sioux Falls Costello clan that has been active in Sioux Falls development for many years. I am not aware that Pat has any involvement with Costello Companies.

Costello perhaps at this point the only home grown candidate originally from Sioux Falls and thus may have a slight advantage in garnering support and cash; but I would not sell Bill Peterson, Mike Huether, or Vernon Brown short in garnering support. It is important to remember that perhaps forty to fifty percent of Sioux Falls residents were not raised here either.

The Queen City’s Mayor’s race will be a rough and tumble and may be exciting.

Quick Question – Can Kermit Staggers who has been making voter contact and surreptitiously campaigning like a madman be far behind in announcing for Mayor?

Council Races Shaping Up – The Harley Davidson guy, Jim Entenman has filed for one of the At Large spots. Entenman is a big Sioux Falls and South Dakota tourism and visitor promoter and activist (also another small businessman).

Filing for the Central District is Michelle Erpenbach. Erpenbach is a writer and editor for the Good Samaritan Society, and it should be noted the wife of campaign politico Steve Erpenbach. Steve held different positions with the SD Democrat Party and Tom Daschle throughout Daschle’s Senate career. Currently he is President and CEO of the S D State University Foundation.

Currently filed for Gerald Beniga’s seat in the Southeast District are Sue Aguilar and Bob Christensen. Aguilar is a former Sioux Falls School Board member. Bob Christensen is the owner of Barber’s Inn. Working with Christensen’s campaign is political operative Georgia Hansen who also is working with the Brown for Mayor campaign.

Another At Large spot currently remains void but that should change soon.

Expect the list of candidates to continue to grow even more rapidly as we move forward.

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