Larsen, Benfield vie for mayor
- posted: 06 Nov. 2007
- scrollnews@byui.edu
It’s 4:30 in the afternoon, and Donna Benfield is knocking doors.
“This is the best way to campaign in Rexburg,” Benfield said, “going door to door to get a feel for what people are saying.”
Benfield is a member of the Rexburg City Council and executive director of the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce. Instead of running for re-election to the city council, Benfield is running for mayor against the incumbent, Shawn Larsen.
Though Larsen has the benefit of being the current mayor, he agrees with Benfield that the best way to campaign in Rexburg is by face-to-face interaction with the voters. Aside from knocking doors, Larsen has held a “Muffins with the Mayor” event at Great Harvest on Center Street the past two Saturdays.
“It’s an opportunity to talk to people in a relaxed atmosphere,” Larsen said as he greeted visitors in the store with a free muffin and a handshake.
Both Benfield and Larsen have been increasingly active in seeking out votes for what could be a tight mayoral race. Benfield has been knocking doors every afternoon with her husband, Ken, since the end of August, when she announced her candidacy.
“It’s fun meeting people,” Benfield said. “It gives you a sense for the community and helps you have in voting on issues.”
Though both candidates are working hard for votes, neither has focused much attention on students of BYU-Idaho, though they make up nearly half of the city’s population.
Both candidates agreed that the students just don’t vote much, and so neither has focused attention on them, though both encourage students to vote.
“I’ve always encouraged students to be informed, register and vote,” Larsen said. “Active citizenship is important, and students are citizens.”
Both Larsen and Benfield talk about the good experiences they’ve had working with students, whether it’s on committees; in Rexburg 101, a brief course on local government taught by Mayor Larsen; or in other local activities like the Teton Dam Marathon or the Idaho International Dance Festival.
Benfield wants students to know “the importance of voting and feeling like your one vote makes a difference. It does — I firmly believe it does.”
Benfield says that if elected mayor, her office will have an open-door policy and encourages input from students on city issues.
“What types of business would [students] like to see in Rexburg?” Benfield said. “What are we missing? How can we make Rexburg feel more like home?”
Larsen also encourages students to be involved in city issues, by learning about them and participating in city events and meetings.
“The university plays a critical part in this city,” Larsen said. “The students are a part of this community.” 
