Fuhriman won’t seek another term; Parry seeks seat

Shortly after Idaho Falls City Councilwoman Sharon D. Parry announced she will be a candidate for mayor this fall, Mayor Jared Fuhriman had an announcement of his own.

He will not seek re-election.

“With our youngest child set to go to college next year, for the first time in decades, my wife Karen and I (being “empty nesters”) are planning on spending a lot more quality time together. With 18 years as an Idaho Falls police officer and another (almost) eight as the mayor, I am ready for some new challenges and am looking forward to spending more time with my family — especially my grandkids!” he said.

Fuhriman announced last summer that he has been diagnosed with a mild-short term memory impairment, but had said it did not significantly impact his performance.

Parry, who is in her second term on the City Council, said she would kick off her official campaign later this year, but wanted to avert speculation and rumors.

“I was holding off the announcement to maintain as much of a working relationship amongst the current mayor and council as possible. However, recent events have made it clear that making my candidacy known at this time will not hurt and may potentially help in moving our city forward,” she said in a news release Tuesday.

Before Fuhriman announced this would be his last term, Parry said she would be a candidate for mayor regardless of whether Fuhriman sought re-election in November.

Parry served three terms on Idaho Falls District 91 School Board.