Math, science teacher elected to Blackfoot City Council
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BLACKFOOT — Debbie Barlow will replace Jan Simpson on the Blackfoot City Council after receiving 54% of the votes in Tuesday’s election.
Barlow, a math and science teacher at Idaho Science and Technology Charter School, was grading papers at the start of the night but quickly discovered how difficult it is to split focus between grading and watching election results slowly pour in. So, when the final results were reported, she was out collecting her campaign signs.
“They’s hard to find in the dark,” she joked.
While driving around town, Barlow received a call from someone at the Bingham County election watch party informing her of her victory. She instantaneously experienced the full gamut of emotions.
“(I was) a lot happy; a little bit overwhelmed; a lot excited,” she said.
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Though she is excited to take part in planning for the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, Barlow said her immediate focus will be on obtaining federal grants to improve the city’s roads and infrastructure. In order to apply for community development grants, Barlow explained, she will need to canvass neighborhoods and collect resident information.
“I know it’s going to take some legwork and I’m willing to do that,” she told EastIdahoNews.com. “… That’s probably going to be my first thing — get that all ready, so when the weather warms up I can get out there and hit the pavement.”
Barlow’s predecessor, Simpson, held the Blackfoot City Council Seat 4 since 2014 but did not run for reelection.
En route to her victory, Barlow earned 461 of 852 votes, besting Cara Fitzgerald, whom she thanked for running a clean campaign and remaining dedicated and focused on the vital issues.
Barlow thanked the voters of Blackfoot for electing her.
“I am excited and I am grateful for their support,” she said. “I want them to know that I do not take the trust that they’ve placed in me lightly. I will work hard to live up to their expectations.”