United Springfield backs council candidates

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United Springfield endorses 2 SPS board candidates

Following up on its school board endorsements last week, the United Springfield political action committee has backed five candidates for City Council.

The PAC has endorsed a candidate apiece for each of the five council seats up for grabs in the April 8 election, according to a news release.

“We are thankful each candidate – whether in a contested or uncontested race – took time to share their passion and priorities for our city," said Jim Anderson, co-chair of United Springfield, in the release. Candidates were asked to respond to questionnaires and participate in in-person interviews.

For mayor, Mother’s Brewing Co. founder Jeff Schrag received United Springfield's endorsement over Mary Collette, who operates Commercial Street event venue Historic Firehouse No. 2.

Incumbent council members Heather Hardinger and Matthew Simpson got the nod for General Seat A and Zone 4, respectively.

Eric Pauly, a member of the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission, is challenging Hardinger, the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at CoxHealth. Simpson will face off against Bruce Adib-Yazdi, an architect and vice president of development for The Vecino Group.

Zone 1 incumbent Monica Horton and General Seat B incumbent Craig Hosmer, who are running unopposed, also picked up endorsements from United Springfield, according to the release.

United Springfield’s steering committee is chaired by Anderson and Terri McQueary, with 2024-25 members including Alexis Childs, Orin Cummings, Steve Edwards, Emily Givens, Jay Guffey, Jeff Johnson, Mark Powell, David Ross, Debbie Shantz-Hart, Carol Taylor and Claire Whitlock.