Those interested in running for mayor in the special election on Jan. 19, can now begin filing their Affidavits of Candidacy.

Filings open on Nov. 11 and close two weeks later on Nov. 25. The filing fee is $5. Affidavits of Candidacy can be obtained at Chaska City Hall, One City Hall Plaza.

To be eligible to run for mayor, candidates must be at least 21-years-old, must be eligible to vote in any election and must have resided in Chaska for 30 days prior to the election.

Because former Mayor Gary Van Eyll resigned in the middle of his two-year term, the candidate elected to the seat will fill the remainder of his term through Dec. 31, 2010. The position will be up for re-election again in November 2010.

The mayor earns an annual salary of $8,208.

Last month, former Ward 4 councilor Jay Rohe became the first to announce his candidacy for mayor. Now former Chaska Cubs general manager and former Chaska firefighter Mark Windschitl may also throw his hat into the ring. Rumors that he is considering a run for mayor are true, Windschitl confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

“It is being pursued,” he said. “But I’m not sure at this point.”

“I’ve had more and more people telling me I should,” he continued. “We’ll see.”

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer