Wisconsin spring ballot takes shape

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Hurley -- It may seem like people haven’t finished talking about the last election, but two more contests are on the horizon in Wisconsin as Iron County residents will join voters around the state in casting their ballots in the February primary and April general election.

The February primary, which is set for Feb. 16, won’t feature any local races. Instead, voters will decide who will face off in the spring contest for state superintendent of public instruction.

Seven candidates appear on the ballot -- Jill Underly, Deborah Kerr, Steve Krull, Shandowlyon Shawn Hendricks-Williams, Troy Gunderson, Joe Fenrick and Sheila Brigss -- with the top two vote-getters advancing to the April ballot.

Although the primary contest is light on local races, there are plenty of locals on the April 6 ballot -- even if many are running unopposed.

Anderson

In the town of Anderson, incumbent town chair Pat Hanson, and current supervisors Rodney Vlach and Scott Heiden, are all unopposed in seeking another term in their respective offices.

Carey

In the town of Carey, the incumbents are also running unopposed for another term as town chairman Robert Walesewicz, supervisor Thomas Bainbridge and supervisor Diane Schmidtke are all seeking re-election.

Gurney

The town of Gurney is expected to hold a caucus later this month to select its candidates in the spring election.

Kimball

In Kimball, the full slate of incumbents -- chair Ron Ahonen, treasurer Pam Backman, clerk Irene Salzmann, and supervisors Randall Stoltenberg and Carol Decker -- should be back for another term as they are all running unopposed. 

Knight

In Knight, incumbent chair Dan Soine, and supervisors Owen Garro and Mary Koski, are all running unopposed for re-election.

Mercer

The town of Mercer will have one contested race on the ballot, as incumbent supervisors Opal Roberts and Eric Snow are joined by challenger James Schmidt in running for two town board seats. Also on the Mercer ballot, John Sendra is running unopposed for another term as town chair and clerk Deb Hohner is running unopposed for another two-year term. Kelly Joustra is the only one to file paperwork to run for town treasurer, after Lin Miller wouldn’t be seeking another term in office.

Also in Mercer, incumbent Adam Kussard is running unopposed for another term on the Mercer Sanitary District board.

Montreal

The city of Montreal also has a contested race as Bill Stutz is looking to continue representing the city’s Ward 2. He is joined on the ballot by challenger Kelly Traczyk. Maleah Cummings has filed paperwork to run for the Ward 1 seat, with incumbent Gary Morzenti not seeking re-election.

Oma

In Oma, Alex Mabie is looking to be the new town clerk as Denise Schmitz-Enking isn’t seeking re-election. The other incumbents on the town board -- chair Steve Finco, supervisors Larry Erickson and Lana Mueller, and treasurer Linda Kuduk -- are all running for re-election unopposed.

Pence

In Pence, incumbent chair Michael Paternoster, and incumbent supervisors Joe Olson and Brad Strand, are all unopposed for their bids for another term.

Saxon

The town of Saxon also isn’t expecting to see any changes in leadership as its incumbents aren’t facing any challenges on the ballot. Chair Andy Rowe, supervisors Karl Krall and Kelly Thurow, clerk Kathy Brauer and treasurer Stephanie LaFortune are all running for re-election.

Sherman

In the town of Sherman, Rose Anne Meer will likely be the new clerk as she is running unopposed to replace Amy Slone, who isn’t seeking re-election. Also on the ballot in Sherman are incumbent town chair Gerald Luke, treasurer Gerard Murrin, and supervisors Robert Lepper and Gary Kessler. All are unopposed in their bids for another term.

Hurley School District

Two candidates, Jessica Leinon-Novascone and Jack Brown, are vying to fill a seat on the Hurley School Board that will be vacated by Joe Simonich, who isn’t seeking another term.

Mercer School District

Only one Mercer school board race is on the ballot, as Henry Joustra is running unopposed for another term.

Voters in Iron County will also cast their ballots in the judicial race for a seat on the District 3 Court of Appeals. Two candidates, Gregory Gill, of Appleton and Rick Cveykus, of Wausau, filed their paperwork before the filing deadline to get their names on the ballot.

Polls in both the February primary and April general election are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.