by Tom Coombe
For Heidi Omerza, it’s “up or out” when it comes to Ely politics.
The longtime city council member won’t seek re-election this fall and will instead attempt to become mayor.
As of Wednesday, Omerza was the only candidate in the contest for Ely’s highest elected position.
Incumbent Roger Skraba is running for a seat in the state legislature, and Omerza, who lost to Skraba by only 13 votes in a special election last year, is taking another crack at the mayoral seat.
Candidate filings in Ely, both for mayor and for three council positions up for grabs, close at 5 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
To date, incumbent Angela Campbell is the only candidate in the council election.
Omerza, a mainstay on the city council since winning election in 2006, said this week that it’s time she pursue the mayoral position rather than pursue another four-year term on the council.