My quick answer? NO. As someone who talks to her often about city legislative policies and worked on her campaign to get her elected to the city council, I think Theresa is perfectly happy being a part-time legislator for the city, a music teacher, an organic gardener and active in her church.
There has been tons of speculation if she will run. I have often joked with people that if she announced today and the election was tomorrow, she would be elected. Of course things don’t work that way.
One of the reasons many people have speculated is because Stehly has told mayoral candidates she will NOT endorse anyone. This is actually smart since she may have to work with one of the candidates. She has also sent out a postcard and a newsletter in the past couple of months giving updates to the city. She has done this at her own expense and not from donations or a campaign fund. There is also only one woman running right now for mayor. I’m not saying Theresa’s philosophies are that much different than Jolene’s, but I will say Theresa has more experience with city government then Jolene does, and if Theresa announced it would certainly put a damper on Jolene’s campaign. But what is the biggest factor that would be advantageous to Stehly if she ran for mayor? She is the demographic that votes in Sioux Falls municipal elections; moderate to conservative, populist, working class, 55 and older individuals.
But the other thing I have learned about Stehly is she can have a change of heart, in a heartbeat. If Stehly does run for Mayor she has until February 23rd to turn in her petitions. Until than, I don’t think the current pool has much to worry about. Just remember, vote for anybody but Jim and Paul.