Ex-councilman Rickenmann seeks remainder of District 4 term

Former, two-time citywide councilman Daniel Rickenmann is the first person to publicly announce that he is seeking the remainder of the District 4 term left open by the death last month of Councilwoman Leona Plaugh.

Rickenmann, 47, has been out of office for about five years after stepping down in summer of 2012 to turn his attention to his business interests.

Candidate filing for the rest of Plaugh’s term opens Friday and closes Oct. 24, according to City Council’s decision last week to hold a special election Jan. 3.

Plaugh, who died of cancer, would have served until Dec. 31, 2017.

Rickenmann’s name recognition, knowledge of city government and proven electability might discourage other candidates from seeking the seat, political observers say.

This story was originally published October 13, 2016 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Ex-councilman Rickenmann seeks remainder of District 4 term."