Sioux City Councilman Alex Watters told Siouxland Public Media News on Tuesday his decision not to run for re-election this fall. The filing period for Sioux City Council candidates runs two more days through Thursday.
Watters said he is proud of his service covering 8.5 years as a councilman, but he has decided over recent weeks to step back from public service.
Watters, who works at Morningside University, was appointed to an open council seat in February 2017. He then won four-year terms in the 2017 and 2021 city elections.
Watters said he will miss advocating for the quality of life, business developments and other pieces that improve the lives of Sioux Cityans.
“It just feels like maybe it is time to take a little step back, gain some perspective and just reflect,” he said.
The expiring Sioux City Council positions are held by Watters, Matthew O’Kane and Dan Moore, who will announce his decision at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
*Also on Tuesday, the number of Sioux City Council candidates grew to three, as Nick Davidson announced his bid. Davidson is a self-described community leader who serves in a role with annual Rivercadel celebration.
In a release, he said he aims to focus on transitional housing for homeless people and to push for smarter construction policies to protect public safety.
The other two Sioux City Council candidates are Rick Bertrand and Craig Berenstein.
*Additionally, there are just a few hours left for voting by people for a special election in parts of Woodbury County for an Iowa Legislature seat.
Both candidates in the Iowa Senate District 1 contest live in Sioux City, with Christopher Prosch as the Republican and Catelin Drey as the Democrat.
Early voting has been underway for days, and polls close this evening at 8 pm.
