Want to help shape Estacada’s future? Run for city council

A majority of Estacada City Council positions, including the mayor’s seat, will be up for grabs in the November election.

The Nov. 5 ballot will have three councilor positions and the mayor’s position on the ballot.

All of these positions are non-partisan and are non-paid.

These volunteer positions require a significant commitment of time. Councilors must attend several meetings per month and spend the time to learn about the complicated issues before the city council meets.

The councilors and mayor often show up at community events. The mayor especially is sought after for ribbon cuttings and other occasions.

Estacada Mayor Sean Drinkwine told the Estacada News that he plans to run for re-election.

Drinkwine has served four terms as mayor and was first elected to the council in 2016.

Estacada City Council President Charity Hughes’ term ends this year. She has served one term.

The term of Paul Strobel, who was appointed to the city council in 2020 and then elected later that year, also expires this year. He told the Estacada News he will not run for another term.

Jonathan Metcalf’s term also expires at year-end and will be on the ballot.

Hughes and Metcalf did not respond by press time to the Estacada News' query about whether they plan to run again.

All candidates for city office must be a qualified voters and have lived within the city limits of Estacada for at least one year.

City Councilor positions are elected for a term of four years. The office of mayor is elected for a term of two years.

Details about the election and election packets are available on the city’s web page .

Prospective candidates need to fill out some paperwork with City Hall and after that paperwork is approved, potential candidates have to gather 20 valid voter signatures on a nominating petition.

Nominating petitions can be filed no sooner than Monday, Aug. 5, and not later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, by scheduling an appointment with the city recorder, 503-630-8290 or main@cityofestacada.org.

The last day to file candidate statements with the Clackamas County Elections Office for the Nov. 5 election is Monday, Sept. 9.

If someone files and changes their mind, the last day to withdraw from the race is Thursday, Aug. 29.

Ballots will be mailed Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The newly elected city councilors will start their terms in January of 2025.