Unusual Iowa City council election shaping up

It looks like the City Council election will offer a couple of rarities.

Three-term incumbent Connie Champion filed nomination papers Wednesday with the City Clerk's Office for the Nov. 3 election.

University of Iowa student Jared Bazzell also filed papers Wednesday.

It's not believed an Iowa City Council member has ever served four terms, although some have run for a fourth term. That includes Dee Vanderhoef, who lost her re-election bid two years ago.

Students have served on the council before, but it's rare, City Clerk Marian Karr said.

Champion, of 430 S. Summit St., will run for the District B seat she has held since 1998.

Bazzell, of 221 E. College St. Apt. 1107, is seeking an at-large seat.

Two at-large seats are up for election. Susan Mims and Terry Dickens also are at-large candidates.

The nominations papers of Champion and Bazzell still must be verified.

A primary election will be held Oct. 6 for the at-large seats if five or more candidates file and for the District B seat if three or more file.

The candidate filing deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday.