Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender is taking in his final few weeks on the job, but there’s a crowded field looking to sit at the same desk.
With the election quickly approaching, the field is starting to take shape. The lack of a runoff vote in a five-candidate field though could create a contentious count.
At the mayor’s office in City Hall, Allender said this race can’t be predicted.
“That creates a psychological negative because whoever will be elected will certainly not have 50% of the vote," Allender said. "They’ll have the majority of the votes divided by five people. So, for that reason I wouldn’t bet a whole bunch of money on the outcome.”
Allender recommends the next mayor takes their time and trusts their peers.
“Whoever’s in that position has to understand there are no emergencies in the mayor’s office," Allender said. "All of the emergencies are handled by qualified personnel in police, fire, emergency management, and other high-quality leaders we have within the city. There’s always a minute to take a breath and formulate a good decision.”
Allender declined to endorse a candidate.
“When you get an endorsement from a sitting elected official, you get some of their supporters and all of their detractors," Allender said. "So, it’s not really a guarantee that endorsement is going to help anybody.”
Allender said he’s still not certain what will come next for him after his term.
Rapid City municipal elections will be held June 6.