Boise council member Ludwig won’t seek reelection

Attorney, developer and Boise City Council member Scot Ludwig says he will not seek reelection this fall.

“Serving the citizens of Boise has been a thrill, educational, humbling and an incredible honor,” Ludwig said in a prepared statement. “But there are so many talented Boiseans that should be afforded this opportunity also.”

Municipal races in Idaho are non-partisan, but Ludwig is a Republican – the only one to serve on the council. Boise’s mayor Dave Bieter, a democrat, appointed him to fill the seat vacated by David Eberele in 2015. Ludwig ran for and won reelection that fall. He also serves on the board of the Capital City Development Corp..

He ran into controversy in 2018 when he proposed to build two connected buildings in Downtown Boise. Boise’s Planning & Zoning Commission said no to the project, which triggered an appeal to Ludwig’s fellow members of city council. He recused himself and did not appear at the meeting, but his colleagues approved the project. Ludwig told BoiseDev earlier this winter the concept it is on hold for the time being.

“Boise has dedicated and bright employees and administration that put their heart and minds into bettering this greatest of cities,” Ludwig said. “The council members I have served with do so tirelessly, without ego or self-service.”

Remaining priorities

Ludwig said he would fill out the rest of his term, which runs until January of 2020. In a release, he listed a number of priorities for the remainder of his time. He cited acquiring Boise’s water system, building a downtown mixed-use stadium and more.

He said he would champion giving a posthumous key to the city to late Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton. Ludwig also said he would “continue the fight against domestic abuse,” and sought to “support preservation of remaining open space along Hill Road.”

Along with Ludwig’s seat, the spots currently held by Lauren McClean and Elaine Clegg are also up for election, as well as the mayor’s office.