A number of local races were decided for school board and town board seats after voters took to the polls in Tuesday’s general election. Voter turnout in Lincoln County was just under 21 percent. The following are preliminary election results.
Merrill School Board
Challenger Jeremy Ratliff has been elected to the Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education, along with incumbents Jen Seliger and Brad Kanitz. Seliger was the top vote-getter with 1,866, followed by Kanitz (1,744) and Ratliff (1,744). Incumbent Kelly Collins, who received 1,388 votes, was unseated in the election.
Town of Merrill
Incumbent Merrill Town Chairman Mike Matushak held off a challenge from Rodney Burgener by a 332-171 vote margin. Incumbent Supervisors Larry Simon and Kortney Pike were unopposed for re-election.
Town of Russell
In the town of Russell, incumbent town char Norm Hodgson was unseated by challenger Donald Fritcher, 101-40. Incumbent Supervisors Robert Kressel and David Heller ran unopposed, as did incumbents, Clerk Linda Dorgan and Treasurer Susan Fisher.
Town of Pine River
Incumbent Pine River supervisors Larry Langbecker (319 votes) and David Breunig (259) retained their seats, defeating challengers Raymond Zastrow (192) and Kraig Jaeger (169). Challenger Amanda Gruetzmacher-Herdt unseated incumbent Pine River Town Clerk Amy K. Duley by a 281-216 vote total. Town chair Bill Zeitz was unopposed for re-election.
Town of Rock Falls
In Rock Falls, George Alery (116 votes) and Tim Panfil (77) were elected to the town’s two supervisor seats over Chuck Schaar (60 votes). Tim Caylor was unopposed in his bid for the chair position. Incumbents, Clerk Judith Buch and Treasurer Cindy Puhl, were unopposed for re-election.
Town of Schley
The Schley town clerk post went to Annie Meyer, who defeated Paul Hibler, 101-23. Incumbent town Chair Rick Dorn was unopposed for re-election, as were incumbent Supervisors Bonita Pruesser and Gerald Plamann, and Treasurer Susan Podeweltz.
Town of Birch
All incumbent town board members were re-elected without opposition, including: Chair Dave Fox, Supervisors Debra Gano and Terry Lokemoen, Clerk Cynthia Lokemoen and Treasurer Marlene Fox.
Town of Bradley
All incumbent town board members ran unopposed for re-election, including Chair Kevin Koth, Supervisor Joan Hilgendorf, Treasurer Phyllis Evans and Constable Terry Hagar.
Town of Corning
Incumbents were unopposed in the town of Corning, including Chair John Kudick, Clerk Rick Hass and Treasurer Richard Berndt. Todd Luedtke and Jeffrey Simon took the two supervisor positions.
Town of Harding
Incumbents were unopposed in the town of Harding, including Chair Ronald Hornischer, Supervisors Donald Graap Sr. and John Tomajcik Sr. and Clerk Kristy Ament. Carrie Hintz ran unopposed for the treasurer position.
Town of Harrison
For the town’s two supervisor seats, incumbent Lawrence Schoone (130 votes) and challenger Brian Hanson (127) were elected over incumbent Paul Schoone (111). Charles Phelps was unopposed for the chair position. Incumbent Clerk Kathy Voermans and Treasurer Matt Doyle were unopposed for re-election.
Town of King
Incumbent town Clerk Andrea Michaud was unseated by challenger Donna Edwards, 147-108. Bob Steigerwaldt and Andrew Tomaszewski were elected to the town’s two supervisor seats. Terry Wiese was unopposed for the Chair position and incumbent Treasurer Julie Allen was also unopposed.
Town of Scott
All incumbents were unopposed for re-election, including town Chair Michael Woller, Supervisors Gerald Schmidt and Charles Reinhardt, Clerk Debbie Raymer and Treasurer Ann Krueger.
Town of Skanawan
Incumbent town Clerk Donna Stenberg lost to challenger Karen Olson, 66-32. All other incumbents ran uncontested, including Chair Benjamin Mehring, Supervisors Michael Sievert and Michael Lucas, and Treasurer Jean Zoellner.
Town of Somo
Marlene Tunker Steen was elected without opposition for the town chair seat. Incumbent Supervisor Steven Isaacson (29 votes) and challenger Scott Melquist (27) were elected to the town’s two supervisor seats over incumbent Larry Coulthurst (14). Incumbent Clerk Heather Marheine and Treasurer Jody Isaacson were unopposed for re-election.
Town of Tomahawk
All incumbents were unopposed for re-election, including Chair Gary Jaecks, Supervisors Dona Jahn and Richard Guerts, Clerk Jesse Hoffman and Treasurer Violet Herman.
Town of Wilson
All incumbents were unopposed for re-election, including Chair Fran Pflum, Supervisors Phil Rausch and Adam Felser, Clerk Mary Baltich and Treasurer Dorothy Rausch.
City of Tomahawk
There were no candidates for a District 1 aldermanic post; the 33 write-in votes will be tabulated during the Board of Canvass. Mike Van De Weerd was unopposed in District 2, as was Mike Loka in District 3.
Tomahawk School Board
For two seats representing the city of Tomahawk on the Board of Education, voters chose Cathy Schmit (655 votes) and Tyler Stevenson (719) over incumbent Ken Schulz (582) and challenger Becky Theiler (593). Incumbent board member Cherie Hafeman ran unopposed to represent townships on the board.
Judicial races
Lincoln County picked the winners in both of the judicial races on the ballot. For state Supreme Court Justice, Lincoln County voters chose Ann W. Bradley by a 2-1 margin over James P. Daley. Bradley was the statewide winner, securing her third 10-year term on the state’s highest court. In the race for District 3 Court of Appeals, county voters preferred Mark A. Seidl by about the same margin over Kristina M. Bourgart. District-wide, voters gave Seidl the nod to replace retiring Judge Michael Hoover on the court that serves 35 counties in northern Wisconsin.