CACHE COUNTY – In the week since the announcement of County Executive David Zook’s pending retirement from that office, four candidates have queued up to replace him in the Republican Special Election set for Thursday, Sept. 11.
Those candidates are Dirk Anderson, Craig Anhder, Micah Safsten and Rhyan Dockter.
Anderson has more than 15 years experience in financial affairs for local, county and state governments in Utah, Alaska and California. Most recently, he has served as chief deputy to Zook, who will resign from office on Monday, Sept. 8.
Anhder was a football coach at Green Canyon High School in North Logan.
Currently a member of the staff of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Safsten’s previous experience includes two years as a senior policy analyst for the Cache County Council.
Having relocated to Cache Valley in 2022, Dockter divides his time between biotechnology development and serving as a stay-at-home dad. He holds a master of science degree from Brigham Young University in Genetics and Biotechnology.
The filing period for potential candidates will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, according to Cache GOP Chair Natalie Levi.
To file as a candidate, hopefuls can visit cachegop.com/run.
The Special Election will be held at Ridgeline High School in Millville. The candidate open house and credentialing will open at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 11, with the meeting coming to order at 6:30 PM.
Potential candidates should submit their applications electronically to Levi at chaircachegop@gop.com on or before the Sept. 4 deadline. After that, candidates can mail a signed paper application to Cache GOP, P.O. Box 43, Logan UT 84323.
The winner of the county special election will serve out the unexpired term of the former county executive until December of 2026.
Members of the public are invited to attend the Special Election on Sept. 11, but under GOP bylaws only members of the Cache County Republican Party Central Committee, precinct officers and county delegates will be able to cast ballots.
Additional information about candidates who have filed so far can be found at www.cachegop.com.
Ridgeline High School is located at 180 North, 300 West in Millville.