There were several developments Wednesday concerning the field of Sioux City Council candidates pursuing three seats.
The final day for Sioux City Council filing is Thursday, and two people entered the field, while current Councilman Dan Moore decided not to seek re-election.
The expiring Sioux City Council positions are held by Moore, Alex Watters, and Matthew O’Kane, who has not publicly announced his decision,
Additionally, John Den Beste announced his candidacy Wednesday, and Ike Rayford told us that he will make his candidate announcement at 10:30 a.m. Thursday outside the Sioux City Convention Center downtown.
Rayford ran in the 2021, losing by about 65 votes.
“I learned something. I’m coming back,” he said.
Den Beste is a financial advisor. In a release, he said he will bring a pro-growth mindset for housing, business and infrastructure.
Moore is an attorney who has served on the council for 12 years, who said it was a difficult decision to bow out.
“We have made great strides and many accomplishments during my time on city council, because of the team efforts and many groups working together we have made a lot of progress,” Moore said.
When asked if he would run for mayor in two years, Moore said he would keep all options open.
On Tuesday Sioux City Councilman Alex Watters told Siouxland Public Media News his decision not to run for re-election this fall.
Also on Tuesday, the number of Sioux City Council candidates grew to three, as Nick Davidson announced his bid, joining the other two candidates, of Rick Bertrand and Craig Berenstein.
With Den Beste and Rayford, that total now is five.
