STURGIS – A robust group of candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for four seats open on the Sturgis City Council.

The deadline for filing nominating petitions was 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. 

The municipal election will be held on Tuesday, April 9. The deadline to register to vote in the election is 5 p.m. March 25. Absentee ballots will be available 15 days prior to the election date.  

Those Sturgis City Council members whose terms will expire in 2024 include: Ward 1— Angela Wilkerson; Ward 2— Beka Zerbst; Ward 3— Aaron Jordan; and Ward 4 – Dean Sigman. 

On the ballot in Ward 1 will be incumbent Angela Wilkerson, Jamie Helms, and Nick Jones. 

In Ward 2, Ruth Kopp and Richard Zerbst have filed petitions for the seat vacated by Beka Zerbst. 

Ward 3 candidates are Richelle Bruch and Jim Thompson. Aaron Jordan did not seek reelection. 

And in Ward 4, Jesse Blakeman is the sole candidate. Dean Sigman did not seek reelection. 

Those elected will take office at the May 6 council meeting.

The elected council members represent their wards within the city, bringing forward individual or group concerns to the entire elected body.

Sturgis has four wards and two representatives for each ward. The mayor serves at large and is elected by all voters, regardless of ward of residence. 

The council is responsible for developing a long-range vision for the community. It also establishes policies that affect the overall operation of the city.

Other members of the Sturgis City Council include Ward 1 – Mike Bachand; Ward 2 – Tony Dargatz; Ward 3 – Preston Williams; and Ward 4 – Kevin Forrester. The terms of all of these councilors expire in 2025.

The city is currently operating with an interim mayor as Mark Carstensen resigned earlier this month. The mayor’s term expires in 2025.