Miranda Basye announces run for city council seat being vacated by Pat Starr
The race for the City of Sioux Falls' Northeast District is on.
Miranda Basye of northeast Sioux Falls officially announced on Tuesday her intention to seek a spot on the City Council in next spring’s municipal election, becoming the second candidate to declare for the seat that will be vacated by term-limited City Councilor Pat Starr.
“Growing up with a front row seat to the inner workings of my family businesses developed a deep sense of connectedness. I understood early on we all rely on each other's successes to keep moving forward in our own regard,” Basye said in a campaign announcement describing her as a “local marketer and community leader.”
A lifelong Sioux Falls resident, Basye, 28, is an active member of Downtown Rotary and Sioux Falls Sales and Marketing Executives and is involved in the S.D. Change Network through the Bush Foundation. She’s also a graduate of Think 3D’s Leaders of Tomorrow program.
In announcing her candidacy, Basye said she’s “eager to reciprocate the city's unwavering support” and to serve on the City Council with “purpose and passion.” Safety, roads, transportation and economic development are noted as her top issues, as well as listening to and learning from residents about how the city can strive to serve them better will be her focus during her campaign and beyond, she said.
“I remember waiting for the school bus on North Cliff Avenue next to a billboard when I first started school, and I just always felt safe and secure. I aspire for all our residents to feel safe just like I did when I was that little girl,” she said. “Safe when we’re traveling through the city in our cars and on public transportation. Safe when we’re enjoying our beautiful parks system and expanding trails. And, safe when voicing our ideas, needs, and concerns about the tightening workforce, scarce childcare, expanding housing needs, and strategic economic growth.”
Basye is the second candidate to announce in the Northeast District. Earlier this month, Sioux Falls attorney Tarek Maalouf also declared a run.
“I look forward to meeting Miranda and hearing what ideas we share for the Northeast,” he said Tuesday evening.
Candidates pursuing other council positions have also declared candidacies in recent weeks. Ryan Spellerberg, a Sioux Falls mortgage lender, has announced his candidacy for the Southwest District seat, held right now by Councilor Marshall Selberg, who is also term-limited. And former state lawmaker Richard Thomason also announced a run at the at-large seat being vacated by Councilor Alex Jensen, who will not seek a second term in office.