Late last week, former bank executive and Marathon High School alumnus Jeff Smith registered as a candidate for Marathon City Council. He joins a field of Marathon residents that includes Bobby Grostefon, Kevin Macaulay, Kenny Matlock, Wayne Quarberg, Robyn Still and Richard Tamborrino.
Still is the only incumbent eligible for re-election, as current council members John Bartus, Steve Cook and “Doc Dan” Zieg have reached their three-term limit. Luis Gonzalez will remain on council until his term ends in November 2024. He is in the midst of his second term.
The 2022 election starts a new era in Marathon politics with the new slate of council members serving four-year terms as a result of a city charter change that was approved in January of this year.
The three candidates earning the most votes this November will be Marathon’s first council members to serve the four-year terms, while the fourth-place candidate will serve the remaining two years of the seat vacated by Trevor Wofsey, who resigned in January. His seat is currently occupied by Still.
The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections will continue to pre-register candidates through the summer, with the qualifying period starting on August 2 and closing on August 9. Candidates may qualify in one of two ways: turn in 63 signed petitions no later than noon on July 5 or pay an $840 registration fee prior to the close of the qualifying period.
Candidate profiles and in-depth coverage of the race will continue this summer as the Keys Weekly Newspapers seeks to bring an informed electorate to the polls this November.
