Despite the date for the upcoming Consolidated Election being nearly six months away, two candidates have already thrown their hats in the ring for consideration by Watseka voters. Current Watseka Fourth Ward Alderman, Scott Anderson, announced Saturday that he is starting his campaign to win the position of Watseka Mayor. “The current mayor has recently placed his house on the market and his wife has mentioned on social media that they will be moving,” Anderson said, “this implies to me that he will not be seeking reelection. The Watseka residents deserve a new, strong leader to move our City in a prosperous direction, and I feel that I should be their choice to head that way. My time as an alderman has given me the experience and tools I need to be this leader. I have been receiving encouragement from numerous voters that reside in all of the Watseka wards, and this has been the primary reason for my choice to run. I do not want our residents to be left with an uncontested candidate that will continue with the way things have been going for the last eight years.” Along with Anderson’s announcement, Watseka resident Bridget Tobeck announced that she will be seeking a position within the Watseka City Council as a Fourth Ward alderwoman. In a statement she made on Saturday Tobeck said, “I believe it's time we refocus our priorities on what truly matters— supporting our citizens and strengthening our small businesses. My goal is to help bring transparency and integrity to our local government, ensuring that every decision made is in the best interest of our community. I believe in this city and, together, we can create a city that values progress and opportunity for all its residents.” Anderson endorses Tobeck in her campaign and said, “I fully support Bridget in this endeavor, especially since she will be a new, confident, and intelligent decision maker.”