2025 Mayoral Race Heats Up Amid Police Shooting Controversy in Pocatello
By Greg Pruett • April 28, 2025Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad is facing a challenger this November as the controversy over the police shooting of Victor Perez continues.
What’s Happening: Greg Cates is a former Pocatello police officer who announced that he intends to challenge the mayor for the position. Cates was critical of the Blad for his slow response in issuing a statement in the wake of the Perez shooting.
Cates posted the following on Facebook as the reason he is running for the position:
“Like most of you, I’m not happy with the direction our city is headed. I can’t just sit by and hope someone else will fix it. I believe in this city too much.
Fortunately the opportunity has presented itself for me to step up and do something about it, so I’m running for Mayor. I’m not running to make a name for myself. I’m running because I love this community, and I believe we all deserve better.”
Digging Deeper: The last time Blad was challenged, the race went to a runoff. His last challenger was David Worley, who has also run for legislative office.
Blad has also been criticized for adopting a liberal resolution that stated Pocatello is a “Welcoming and Inclusive City.” Boise is another city that adopted a similar resolution.
Tags: Brian Blad, Election, Greg Cates, Mayor, Pocatello, Shooting, Victor Perez
“Welcoming and Inclusive” … commie claptrap !!!!!!!!!
Blad does nothing but kiss ass to all the money maggots and hasn’t worked than anything positive for the city. it’s time for new blood. vote Cates!