Who’s Running in the 2020 Local Elections

Marshfield, WI (OnFocus) The ballot for the local 2020 elections is shaping up.

There are no contested races for alderman in Marshfield. Incumbents Chris Jockheck of District 3 and Steve Mac Swain of District 5 will step down in April. Seeking to fill those seats are Quentin Rosandich for District 3 and Ed Wagner for District 5. Wagner was first elected as alderman in 2006 and chose not to run in the 2018 election.

[Related: 2020 Local Elections: Who’s Running So Far, Who’s Stepping Down]

Incumbents Mike Feirer (District 1), Adam Fischer (District 7), and Tom Buttke (District 9), are also running again for a two-year term. Fischer was appointed District 7 alderman last October.

Current mayor Bob McManus is seeking a second two-year term and this time around, doesn’t face any opposition.

For Marshfield School Board, incumbents Mark Konrardy and Dorothy Chaney have chosen to run for another 3-year term. Dan Neve will also appear on the ballot.

Wood County Board members who are running again include Dave LaFontaine (1), Donna Rozar (2), Michael Feirer (3), Adam Fischer (5), Allen Breu (6), Robert Ashbeck (7), Jake Hahn (8), William Winch (9), Kenneth Curry (11), Dennis Polach (14), Bill Clendenning (15), Lance Pliml (16), Joseph Zurfluh (17), Brad Hamilton (18), and Bill Leichtnam (19).

Ed Wagner is pursuing the District 4 seat held by Dawn Urban, who was appointed in November to fill a vacancy and will not be running.

Mark Holbrook, District 10, neither filed non-candidacy or any paperwork for re-election. There are no other candidates for this seat. Therefore, the Jan. 7 deadline for board candidates to file has been extended another 72 hours to Friday, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m., according to the County Clerk.

There are two contested seats for Wood County Board. Donna Rozar of District 2 is challenged by another candidate, Andy Andrews, while the district 7 seat is being sought by incumbent Robert Ashbeck and Bill Voight.

For District 13, Marion Hokamp is stepping down and John Hokamp is pursuing the seat. Douglas Machon of District 12 is also not running for re-election, and Laura Velenstein will run unopposed unless other candidates file.

On the April ballot, voters will also be asked to vote on the Wisconsin Marsy’s Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment.

The measure known as “Marsy’s Law” would strengthen rights for crime victims through an amendment of the Wisconsin constitution. Amendments first require passage in two consecutive sessions by the Legislature before heading to a statewide referendum.

Marsy’s Law has been approved by 13 other states since 2008, first in California. Efforts toward protections for victims was begun after the death of Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas, who was stalked and killed in 1983 by her ex-boyfriend. The family was unaware the accused was out on bail when they were confronted by him at a grocery store one week later.

The measure, if passed, would strengthen and add to the victims’ rights constitutional amendment that was approved by Wisconsin voters in 1993.

Currently a Dane County lawsuit by the Wisconsin Justice Initiative is seeking to bar the appearance of the question on the ballot. The WJI stated in December that the question doesn’t adequately describe what Marsy’s Law is and claimed the proposed amendment would make a fair trial difficult for the falsely accused.

“This suit represents a desperate effort to subvert the democratic process by an organization which has lost every public argument on this issue,” said Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin State Chair, Teri Jendusa-Nicolai, in a released statement.

The spring election and presidential preference primary is set for Tuesday, April 7.