Updated Jan. 15.

The Cascade County Democratic Central Committee forwarded three names to the Cascade County Commission this week for consideration to replace Commissioner Jane Weber.

Weber is resigning her seat, effective Jan. 22.

County Commissioners divided over chairmanship cycle

The committee met Jan. 7 to select three names, which are Casey Schreiner, Don Ryan and Helena Lovick, according to Carl Donovan, committee chairman.

Under state law, the commissioners must replace Weber, a Democrat, with someone from the Democratic party. The candidates must have resided in Weber’s district three for at least two years preceding the date of Weber’s retirement.

The remaining commissioners can choose one to appoint to her seat, but that person will have to run again in 2022 at the next general election and then again in 2024 to reinstate the district three seat cycle.

Commissioner Jim Larson said that the county is working to develop interview questions and start interviews the week of Jan. 18.

“I don’t feel like there is any delay. There are very qualified candidates to be vetted and it should to be fair to all of them during the interview process without hurrying the process,” Larson said. “There shouldn’t be any concern over a vacancy, as it is no different than when a commissioner goes on vacation for a week or two weeks. The work will get done and meetings will be held. A split vote could possibly happen, but it is a rare occasion. A vote could be tabled if it looks like there might be a split.”

Weber resigning from County Commission

The candidates who submitted letters of interest to fill Weber’s seat, according to Donovan, are:

• Casey Schreiner
• Vanessa Hayden
• David Phillips
• Helena Lovick
• Don Ryan
• Amy Rapp
• Randall Knowles