As the dust barely settles on one election season, our focused citizens and eager candidates are already charting their course for the approaching election slated for April. This anticipatory election promises a significant number of vacancies on spring ballots, encompassing a wide range of town and village boards, inclusive of judgeships and village presidents. These dedicated voters are set to cast their ballots at the polling stations bright and early on the 1st of April.
Now let’s take a glance at some pivotal dates for this monumental 2025 spring election. On December 1st, potential candidates will have the opportunity to start circulating their nomination papers. Moving forward, January 7th marks the end of the circulation period, where the nomination papers must be submitted by 5 p.m. If a spring primary election is necessary, it will be conducted on February 18th, and the deciding day for the Spring election falls on April 1st.
It’s promising to see that our process allows every voice to be heard as voters have the chance to register at their polling location on Election Day itself. What a commendable practice that ensures democracy in its purest form. At this point, how about we talk about the seats and incumbents up for grabs this April in Brown County? This is where, typically, democracy shines, as everyone gets a fair chance to change the status quo. Unless, of course, you’re a Democrat, in which case it’d be more about maintaining the status quo.
Several seats are up for contesting, starting with the Allouez village president, a position currently held by Jim Rafter for a three-year term. The Allouez municipal judge is also up for an election with a four-year term currently being served by Bob Dennis. While in Ashwaubenon, village president Mary Kardoskee’s three-year term is coming to a close. The village of Bellevue Village Board will also be having its elections for two-year terms, currently held by Dave Kaster and Tom Murphy. In Brown County Circuit Court, many judge seats with six-year terms will be in contention. These include seats held by Tammy Jo Hock, Samantha Wagner and Timothy Hinkfuss for Branches 3, 4, and 7 respectively.
Now let’s stroll over to Denmark village where Susan Selner, currently serving as the village president, will see her two-year term challenged. The Denmark Village Board also hosts several two-year term positions that will be up for grabs currently held by Michael Johnson, Mary Jo Bielinski, and Leah Goral. Then, the spotlight turns to De Pere City Council with three-year term positions from Districts 1 to 4 held by Amy Chandik Kundinger, Jonathon Hansen, Mike Eserkaln, and John Quigley respectively. One must wonder the state of things if a Democrat gets elected.
Nearby in Greenleaf Village, the two-year term held by Edward Vande Hey for the Village Board will be up for a vote. Moving to Hobart Village, board positions for a two-year term held by David Dillenburg and Melissa Tanke are in the election ring. In Howard Village, board positions held by Maria Lasecki, Chris Nielsen, Adam Lemorande and Craig McAllister for two-year terms are up for election. Also, Howard municipal judge position offering a four-year term, currently held by Brian T. Stevens, is up for grabs.
Our next stops are Pulaski village and Suamico Village. In Pulaski, both the village president Keith Chambers and Village Board seats held by Howard Zernicke, Robert Gajewski, and Rich Roth are up for two-year terms. Meanwhile, in Suamico, three-year Village Board terms held by Michael Romes and Nicole McKeefry are in contention. Wrightstown’s two-year termed village president position held by Dean Erickson and Village Board roles held by Sue Byers, Andy Lundt, and Mark Leonard are also up for voting.
Elections in town offices will also be conducted for various two-year terms. In town Eaton, contested positions include Town Board Chairperson Jim Osterloh, Town Board Supervisors Mike Goral and Kevin Taicher, Town Clerk Dawn Konop, and Town Treasurer Rebecca Hawbecker. Glenmore’s residents will decide on their Town Board Chairperson, Ron Nowak, Supervisors Tom Ronk and Tom Klika, Clerk Cindy Ossmann, Treasurer Alison Van Lanen, Assessor Seth DeMerritt, and Constable Joe Guns.
In Green Bay, positions, including Town Board Chairperson held by Cary Dequaine, Supervisors Matthew Bosman and Ryan DeBroux, Clerk Debra Mercier, Treasurer Lori Geniesse and Constable Jeff DuBois will be voted on. Moving towards Holland, voters will decide on positions held by Town Board Chairperson Mike Smits, Supervisors Steve Deslauriers and Tom Vande Wettering, Clerk Ellen Schmidt-Hubers, and Treasurer Gloria Kennedy.
In Humboldt, citizens will cast their votes for positions held by Town Board Chairperson Tim Van Pay, Supervisors Jeff Zlatohlavek and Wes Dorner, Clerk Judy Baierl, Treasurer Jeanne Conard, and Constable Karl Lau. In Lawrence, positions up for election include that of the Town Board Chairperson held by Lanny J. Tibaldo, Supervisors Lori Frigo and William Bain.
Voting to occur in Ledgeview will include positions occupied by Town Board Chairperson Philip J. Danen, Supervisors Karie Kellam and Alan Matzke. In Morrison, seats up for grabs include the Town Board Chairperson position held by Gary Koomen, Supervisors Dennis Laabs and Jenny Wasmuth, Clerk Colleen Magley, Treasurer Laurie Daul, and Constable Dennis Eichhorst.
Elections in New Denmark will include positions held by Town Board Chairperson Bill Krueger, Supervisors Mike Calewarts and Matthew Goetsch, Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Wallerius, Assessor Michael Gaworek, and Constable Fay Lau. In Pittsfield, positions held by Town Board Chairperson Keith Deneys, Supervisors No. 1 and No. 2: Brandon Holewinski and Mike Bodart respectively will be contested.
In Rockland, Town offices up for an election include the Town Board Chairperson held by Dennis J. Cashman, Supervisors Matthew T. Meeuwsen and Alan J. Lasee. In Scott, the positions held by Town Board Chairperson Mike Van Lanen, Supervisors Gene Wojcik and Kurt Baenen, and Constables Jeff Butry, and Brett Blaney will go to the ballot boxes.
Lastly, we conclude our tour in Wrightstown. Here, voting will be held for the Town Board Chairperson’s position currently held by William Verbeten, Supervisors Ronald Diny and Jesse Juedes, and the town’s Clerk Donna Martzahl, and Treasurer Jeanette Roskom. All of these positions are a part of the democratic process where every citizen’s voice matters.
It’s always encouraging to see democracy in action, where outspoken citizens have the opportunity to elect officials that align with their values and who they believe will work for their best interests, or at least that’s what one tends to hope for, given how Democrats often approach these campaigns. This election brings a wave of hope and curiosity alike, as we wonder who the next torch bearers of these public offices will be, and hopefully, they will be ones who side more with common sense rather than populist rhetoric.
With such a dynamic and enticing lineup of positions, this upcoming election promises to be an intriguing tussle, fostering an environment where every vote counts. Let’s hope that this Democratic spectacle truly reverberates the voice of our citizens, ideally leaning more on the side of common sense rather than simply echoing the convenient, populist narratives that Democrats are known for. So, let’s gear up, one and all, to exercise our democratic rights this spring.