LOGAN – Ten days in advance of the opening of the filing period for candidates in the upcoming Logan municipal election, local business owner Mark Anderson has announced that he intends to toss his hat into the ring for the post of city mayor.
“I’ve given this run a lot of thought,” Anderson admitted, “because I really don’t need another job on top of my business.
“But I really want to serve the community,” he added. “I think that I’m in touch with people. After all, I talk to practically everybody who comes in at Anderson Seed & Garden. I want to be that same person as mayor.”
Anderson’s announcement came during a May 21 live broadcast of the “For The People” program, hosted by Jason Williams, on KVNU radio.
With deep ties to both the business community and city’s political scene, Anderson becomes the automatic front-runner for the top elective post in Logan by default.
Anderson is a native of Logan and a graduate of Utah State University.
He has served a member of the Logan Municipal Council since 2020. In that role, he has been supportive of the revitalization efforts launched by incumbent Mayor Holly Daines, including improvements to Center Street, the construction of the new Logan Library and the creation of the Carol and Jim Laub Plaza in downtown Logan.
In mid-April, Daines announced that she would not seek re-election in the upcoming municipal election.
During his tenure on the Logan Municipal Council, however, Anderson has also showed an independent streak.
When the members of the municipal council initially considered buying an interest in a natural gas power plant in Idaho on Jan. 7, only Anderson voted in favor of that proposal. The measure was voted down when other council members bowed to public pressure from a packed crowd of environmental idealists.
Undeterred, Anderson stuck to his guns, insisting that increased electric power was needed to satisfy the city’s growing demand. His influence led the council to reverse that previous decision on April 1, despite continued public outcry.
Anderson’s chief goal as would-be mayor is modest.
“With all the turmoil at global, federal and even state levels nowadays,” he said simply, “I hope to be able to provide some calm, rational leadership for local residents.”
No other candidates have signaled their intention to run for Logan mayor so far.
The local window for candidate filing will open at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 2 and close at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
The qualifications for candidates seeking office in Logan are that the would-be candidate must be at least 18-years-old; not a convicted felon; be a U.S. citizen; be a registered voter; and a resident of Logan for at least 365 days prior to the date of the municipal election (Nov. 4).
Persons interested in becoming a candidate for office must file a Declaration of Candidacy in person with the Logan City Recorder, 290 North 100 West, Logan, Utah, during regular office hours between June 2 and June 6.
The filing forms are available at the City Recorder’s Office. There is no filing fee.