Heidi Omerza is in her 20th year in city government, and she’s still itching for more.
The incumbent mayor will seek a third term in office, deciding this week to file for re-election.
Omerza was the first to jump into the mayoral race as a two-week filing period started Tuesday and goes until June 2.
Three Ely city council positions are also up for grabs, and after two days of filing only former member Mark Zupec had put his hat in the ring.
The council positions held by Al Forsman, Angela Campbell and Adam Bisbee are up for grabs and all carry four-year terms.
Omerza, who served 16 years as a council member before winning the mayor’s seat in 2022, said this week that she still enjoys local politics and government.
“I like the challenge of it,” said Omerza. “It’s like melding six or seven voices and moving Ely forward. It’s a fun challenge and I want to keep doing it for a little longer.” A teacher at Washington Elementary School, Omerza has represented Ely beyond its borders, leading groups including the League of Minnesota Cities and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. She has also taken an active role in advocating for city causes in St. Paul.
As she looks toward a potential third term as mayor, Omerza said “We have a lot of things on the horizon. We now have money for a water project that we have to get done, and the goal is to keep taxes down, keep working to get more LGA and to continue making Ely a livable community which means jobs.”
As for possible priorities, Omerza said the city needs “to keep what we have and grow that. To make sure we have a viable school district, and hospital and community college, all those things that we need to be a regional center.”
Omerza beat Paul Kess in 2022 to mayoral election and ran unopposed in 2024.
The filing period is open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, and candidates for mayor or the city council election are able to file at City Hall, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Affidavits of candidacy may also be found online at www.ely.mn.us/elections. Filing fee is $5 and candidates must be Ely residents.
If three or more candidates enter the mayoral race, it would trigger an August primary. At least seven city council candidates are needed to hold a council primary, also in August.
The general election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
