Candidates line up for chance to serve in public office

Two districts — minimum — will head to a primary in February in the races for city council.

While there were no takers in the 4th and 6th Districts a week ago, three candidates in each of those districts have stepped forward for a chance to serve on the city council.

In the 4th District, former county board supervisor Jack Sweeney of East Sixth Street, Larry Johnson of Willow Street and Mark Johnson of 22nd Avenue East will be on the ballot Feb. 19. The two top vote-getters will appear on the ballot April 2. The three are vying for a chance to serve the district currently served by Councilor Jackie Stenberg, who is stepping down at the end of her term.

In the district served by former Councilor Len Joyal until last month, three candidates are also vying for a chance to serve. Peter Moeri of Hammond Avenue, Kim Collins of Catlin Avenue and Terry Massoglia of Tower Avenue are running to serve the 6th District and the top two in the Feb. 19 primary will move on to the April 2 election.

The 2nd District is looking at a two-way race — for the moment — after former city councilor, Tom Fennessey, and contractor Marty Curtiss stepped forward to run to represent the district. However, there is still time to get on the ballot after longtime Councilor Tom Bridge didn’t file non-candidacy papers in the district. After more than 10 years on the council, Bridge said he’s not planning to seek another term. That gives potential candidates until 5 p.m. Monday to seek nomination to get their name on the ballot.

Two sitting councilors, Mike Herrick in the 8th and Bob Browne in the 10th, are running unopposed on the April ballot after no challengers stepped forward by Wednesday’s deadline to file.

Five candidates are vying for a chance to serve on the Superior School Board. Incumbents Christina Kintop and Patrick Dorin are running again for seats that expire in April. James Farkas of Bennington Road, Michael Raunio of Ogden Avenue and Steve J. Stupak of Cumming Avenue are vying for the seats.

The Feb. 19 primary in the school board race will determine the four candidates that will advance to the April 2 election.

In statewide nonpartisan races, voters head to the polls to cast ballots for state superintendent and a justice on the state Supreme Court.

In the superintendent’s race, incumbent Tony Evers faces a challenge from Republican Rep. Don Pridemore of Hartford, Wis., for the nonpartisan seat.

Justice Patience “Pat” Roggensack, who has served on the Supreme Court since 2003, is facing challenges from Ed Fallone of Whitefish Bay and Vince Megna of Menomonee Falls, Wis.

Fallone is a Marquette University law professor and private practice attorney; and Megna is a musician, former business owner and Milwaukee-based attorney. Megna also wrote “Bring on Goliath: Lemon Law Justice in America” and “Lap Dancers Don’t Take Checks: The Truth About Law, Lawyers and Other Trivialities.”

The Supreme Court race heads to the Feb. 19 ballot to determine which two candidates remain on the ballot April 2.

In the 3rd District Court of Appeals, Douglas County voters have but one choice to fill the vacancy on the bench; Lisa Stark of Eau Claire is running unopposed.

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