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news@thenewsleaders.com
St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz will not have an opponent in the Nov. 6th election.
Mayor hopeful Jennifer Lieser filed paperwork to run for mayor with the city on the last day election filings were open. She later withdrew from the race but says she will go for it again in a future election.
Lieser said shortly after she filed the paperwork, she learned she was accepted to graduate school.
“I willfully pulled out of the race,” Lieser said. “I would have liked to do it, but I’m just too busy right now. I have a huge coarse load.”
The 30-year-old from rural Meire Grove has lived in St. Joseph since May 2011. A 2004 graduate from the College of St. Benedict, Lieser is working on a master’s degree in divinity from St. John’s University. She’s worked as a social worker for eight years.
Lieser also said she fully supports Schultz as a candidate.
In addition to the two-year mayoral seat, there are two open city council seats. They are held by Bob Loso and Renee Symanietz. Both filed for re-election.
Loso and Symanietz face challenges from council hopefuls Thomas Gustafson, Matt Killam and Troy Goracke. City council members serve four-year terms.