Peosta’s mayor has resigned, just days before an election in which he was the only candidate on the ballot for the position. Jim Merten informed city officials that he was resigning immediately due to “recent and unexpected changes in his life outside of the mayoral role.” Jenny Hillary, Dubuque County deputy commissioner of elections, said a successful write-in campaign could be possible but it is too late to take Merten’s name off of Election Day ballots. If he is elected, he would have to resign again. John Kraft, a council member and mayor pro tem, will temporarily step into the mayoral role until there is a permanent solution. If someone does not run a successful write-in campaign for mayor, the council either would have to appoint a new mayor or hold a special election.
