Former Decorah City Council member files nomination papers to run for city council again

Former Decorah City Council member Gary Rustad has filed nomination papers for a spot on the November ballot for the at-large seat currently held by Kirk Johnson.  According to the County Auditor's Office, Johnson has not yet filed nomination papers to be on the ballot, but has until the end of the day Thursday to do so.

Rustad served for 20 years on the Decorah City Council, first getting elected in 1995.  In 2017 he decided to run for election as mayor and lost to former Decorah Library Director Lorraine Borowski. 

During his time on the Decorah City Council, Rustad served as chairman of the Street Committee, served on the Utility, Community Betterment, and Personnel committees, and represented the city on the Winneshiek County Community Foundation Board.  He has been active in a number of other community causes, including several projects for the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce.

Also filing nomination papers so far for a spot on the November ballot are Emily Neal in Ward 2 and Steve Luse in Ward 4.

At this point, none of the three elections would have a competition, but there are still two days for candidates to file papers.