As Sioux City prepares for the upcoming City Council Election, Siouxland Public Media reached out to all nine candidates to learn more about their qualifications and vision for the future of the city, plus their top two priorities.
Candidates gave answers that give insight into their motivations, experience, and priorities as they seek to serve the residents of Sioux City.
NICK DAVIDSON
I am currently on the rivercade board, and have served on it for 10years, I was commodore from 2019-2022 and I have a masters in business management.
I wanted to run for city council because I want to be able to make a difference in the community, and to be a voice for the community. I want to do more with transitional housing. I would like to look into why property taxes are so high and why our assessments are so high too. And I want to help facilitate economic growth and development.
My focus will be on the people of Sioux City and their concerns for the city.
BRETT WATCHORN
I'm running to represent others like myself in this city who have felt disenfranchised by the city government. I want to be a voice for everyone. I will work with anyone to do good and no one to do bad. Emphasis on anyone!
I work in customer service so I try to have a calm rational demeanor when dealing with anyone. I feel this is my greatest advantage seeking this position. I know I'm not going to make everyone happy, but I always listen and do my best to meet halfway.
Even further improving transparency and get more community engagement with government. I want people to know their voices can be heard and will be with me up there.
CRAIG BERENSTEIN
I am retired after 40 years of professional work, including, but not limited to as an attorney, an adjunct professor at Morningside University, and in banking.
With both my educational background and professional experience, my community background and experience, including as a Mayor of Sioux City, and also a Councilmember in Sioux City, as well as my experience on numerous Boards and organization within the community, I am anxious and excited to share my vision and plans to make Sioux City and Siouxland a stronger and more vibrant and dynamic community to raise a family, work, play, and enjoy a wonderful quality of life.
My educational background, and professional and community experience, as well as my knowledge of, and unwavering commitment to, Sioux City and the Siouxland community.
Also, I am open-minded and approachable, patient and measured, and deliberate with my actions and responses to be an effective leader in this community.
My top priorities are intertwined and broad based, and are summarized as the efficient and effective use of public funds (budget and taxation), credible economic development goals and initiatives, improved and transformative healthcare and healthy-city initiatives, beautification and quality of life objectives, and unwavering support of the Sioux City Police Department and Sioux City Fire Rescue.
JOHN DEN BESTE
The reason I’m running for City Council is because I’m a life long resident of Sioux City and I grew up here. I decided to stay here, choosing to raise my family here. I want to see Sioux City grow, so that it can benefit everybody that calls Sioux City home.
I have a background in finance. I’m a financial advisor. So I am able to dig into budgets and understand money. I think it will be a great asset and I also come from a public service background as a reserve deputy for the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office. I have also participated in the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce government relations committee, which I have chaired the last two years.
I am advocate for Sioux City on both the state and federal level, advocating for things that are important for Sioux City. You have to be very familiar with the issues affecting Sioux City and how we can try to lobby our local legislatures to help with those problems.
One of my priorities is to develop a pro-growth mindset for the City. I think we need to look at everything that we are doing in the lens of how do we grow Siouxland, grow the tax base, attract good jobs, and businesses.
Part of that is being partners with developers and businesses and not being a roadblock to those people. How can city hall partner with those people to make sure that we can get shovels in the ground as soon as possible when somebody wants to develop or build homes? I think that’s super important.
The other thing would be fiscal responsibility; we want to protect our taxpayers, ensuring all the dollars that they pay in property taxes are spent wisely, and pushing for transparency when it comes to budgeting and pushing for full transparency in some major projects, including the wastewater treatment plant. Making sure that is done properly and with the conversation being inclusive with everybody that’s going to be a part of that, including the businesses that send their wastewater there. Those are my top two priorities.
RICK BERTRAND
I am a lifelong resident of Sioux City I have been married for 26 years and have three teenagers. I am the President and Owner of Bertrand Construction LLC and have been investing in Sioux City as a Commercial and Residential developer since 1998.
I have been active in the local business and political community and understand the challenges and frustrations of our citizens and their desire for a new City direction, attitude, and our need for a strong aggressive leader that will step up and Lead this council through the reforms that are needed to get our city back to the basics of local governance, fiscal restraint, and citizen focus.
My documented, proven track record of success in the private and public sector gives me the experience and confidence to make the tough decisions and take the lead within our local government.
I have specifics, and I will be focused and aggressive. Our community will finally become business and citizen friendly, and adopt a spending policy of restraint that produces positive results that citizens can see and feel within our daily lives.
1) To become a positive vehicle for change for Sioux City. I will lead and implement a specific tangible plan that will lower our disproportionate and stupid high property taxes through spending review, recalculation, and restraint. I will answer the question, "What are we getting for our property taxes?
2) I will make real tangible policy, permitting, and perception changes that will finally create a Business friendly City Hall that invites prospective new investment, supports simplicity for current business expansion , while encouraging and supporting everyday citizens' desire to improve and enhance their own properties.
MARTY POTTEBAUM
Retired Police Officer
When I heard the three incumbents were not running, I knew we would be losing a lot of knowledge and experience. Having served on the council before, I thought I could help shorten the learning curve of the new council. I also know the time needed to do the job properly, and being retired I can commit the needed time to serve our citizens.
We need to keep the momentum from the last council, while being more accessible to the citizens. We should help local businesses grow and expand, instead of putting all of our efforts into looking for new businesses. The new city manager and fixing the sewer treatment plant are tops on the immediate needs.
IKE RAYFORD
Ike Rayford
Occupation:
Immediate Past President of the Sioux City NAACP, Business Owner - Kingsbury Electronics, Groundswell Coaching and Training, and Brekkys - Casual Breakfast and Coffee Boutique and Community Leader
I’m running for Sioux City Council because it’s time for bold leadership that delivers results. Sioux City has tremendous potential, and I want to make sure every resident benefits from that growth. My campaign — “I Like Ike” — is about action: strengthening neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, and ensuring City Hall works for the people. Together, we can build a Sioux City that is stronger, safer, and more united.
As the Immediate Past President of the Sioux City NAACP, I’ve proven my ability to lead, listen, and bring diverse voices together for real solutions. I also serve on the Sioux City Civil Service Commission and have years of experience on state and local boards. As a business owner and community leader, I know what it takes to balance budgets, drive economic growth, and make decisions that put people first. That’s the leadership and problem-solving skills I’ll bring to the council — and why so many say, “I Like Ike.”
My top two priorities for the city are:
1. Ignite economic growth — by supporting small businesses, listening more than talking, and attracting industries that keep Sioux City competitive.
2. Invest in people — safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, and resources for youth and families that strengthen our community for generations.
NOTE: Siouxland Public Media contacted all nine Sioux City Council candidates, but not all of them responded by the time this story first was published on September 12. We will add more responses as they are received.
