Spring election takes shape

The field is set for the April 7 election, headlined by the Rhinelander mayoral race where incumbent Kris Hanus is being challenged by Dist. 1 alderman Tom Barnett.
In announcing his quest for a second term, Hanus emphasized his desire to prevent the city from losing ground on recent achievements.
“I do not want to see us go backwards with the progress we have made over the last 4 years,” he said. “I want to see us improve on our achievements and work towards a better community.”
For his part, Barnett has pledged to focus on affordable housing and “fresh, creative ways to grow our community.” Barnett, who has served on the common council for six years, emphasized a commitment to “transparent, respectful, and results-driven leadership” while avoiding negative campaigning.
City aldermanic districts 2,4,6 and 8 are also up for election this spring. Incumbents LeeAnn Felton (Dist. 2), Bob Lueder (Dist. 4) and Steven Jopek (Dist. 8) are all seeking re-election while current county board supervisor Linnaea Newman is seeking the Dist. 6 post to be vacated by incumbent David Holt who chose not to seek another term.

Likewise, the three incumbent members of the Rhinelander school board up for election this spring, Mike Roberts, Merlin Van Buren and Duane Frey, are also seeking re-election.
Former school board member Doug Artus, who was appointed to the panel following the resignation of David Holperin but lost his bid for re-election last year, is also seeking a return. Former city alderman and county board supervisor Bill Freudenberg is also running for a seat on the school board. He also mounted a campaign last spring. In that race, the three incumbents, Ron Lueneburg, Mary Peterson and Judy Conlin, all won re-election while newcomer Kurt Helke claimed the fourth available seat.
There are a number of contested races for positions on the Oneida County Board of Supervisors and one seat where no candidates have emerged.
Incumbents Connor Showalter (Dist. 1), Linnaea Newman (Dist. 3), Russ Fisher (Dist. 5), Debbie Condado (Dist. 6), Robert Briggs (Dist. 7), Greg Oettinger (Dist. 8), Dan Hess (Dist. 10), Collette Sorgel (Dist. 13), Scott Holewinski (Dist. 14), Lenore Lopez (Dist. 15), Kyle Timmons (Dist. 16), Billy Fried (Dist. 17), Michael Tautges (Dist. 18), Bob Almekinder (Dist. 19), Chris Schultz (Dist. 20) and Ted Cushing (Dist. 21) are all running unopposed.
In Dist. 4, newcomer Andrea Sheppard is the only candidate for the seat being vacated by Steven Schreier who chose not to run for re-election.
Incumbent Robb Jensen will face Crescent Fire Chief Keven Mahner for the Dist. 11 seat while Mitch Ives and Kyle Kilbourn will compete for the Dist. 13 seat.
Wayne Kulhanek and Mary Roth Burns will face off for the Dist. 9 seat currently held by Diana Harris.
Finally, the county board seat currently held by Rhinelander Mayor Kris Hanus remains without a candidate. Hanus filed a notice of non-candidacy for the Dist. 2 seat and, thus far, no one else has stepped forward. When asked for his reaction to this development, Hanus told the Star Journal it’s something he will think about.
“Maybe someone will run as a write-in,” he added.
According to county clerk Tracy Hartman, if no write-in candidates materialize, the county board will advertise for interested individuals and appoint someone to the board after the April election.