Myron Gilbert, Paul Fortin pull out of races for Boise mayor, council

The pool of challengers to Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and City Councilwoman Elaine Clegg has thinned.

Late last week, former Ada County Sheriff Myron Gilbert withdrew his candidacy for mayor. That leaves Judy Peavey-Derr and Seth Holden to challenge Bieter, who’s seeking a fourth term. Holden is an unknown — a 25-year-old Boise State University student who doesn’t have much to complain about with Bieter.

Peavey-Derr has been elected to a variety of high-profile positions, including a spot on the Greater Boise Auditorium District’s board of directors, Ada County commissioner and Ada County Highway District commissioner. At a press conference Monday for Peavey-Derr, Gilbert announced that he is backing her.

Also last week, Paul Fortin gave up his challenge to incumbent Elaine Clegg, who also is seeking a fourth term. Fortin ran against council President Maryanne Jordan in 2013 and took 20 percent of the vote. Fortin is a former captain in the Boise Fire Department.

Clegg didn’t draw a challenger the last time she ran for re-election. Fellow incumbent Lauren McLean doesn’t have a challenger this year. Adriel Martinez, another BSU student, is challenging Scot Ludwig, who Bieter appointed to the council early this year.

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Myron Gilbert, Paul Fortin pull out of races for Boise mayor, council."