Incumbent Columbia City Council members plan reelection bids in spring races
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Tuesday is the first day potential candidates for the Columbia City Council elections can file to run and voters should expect to see some familiar names.
Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll announced on her social media that she filed for her reelection bid on Monday. Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman told ABC 17 News that he plans on filing for reelection, but does not plan to file on Monday.
Petitions and instructions will be available at Columbia City Hall from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays. The deadline to file is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Election Day is Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Candidates must obtain at least 50 signatures from residents who reside in the ward and are registered voters, according to a press release released by the city last week.
Potential candidates must be qualified voters and residents of the ward they wish to represent, the release says. They must also not hold “lucrative public office or any lucrative position in the City government during their terms,” the release says.
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