Former county head declares as board candidate

Shawano County’s former administrative coordinator has declared his candidacy for a seat on the County Board, one of two more candidates who filed registration statements this week to run for supervisors’ seats. Thomas Madsen, who served as interim and then part-time administrative coordinator from March 2012 to December 2014, has filed to run against District 20 Supervisor Rick Giese. The district includes all of Gresham and Ward 1 of the town of Herman. Also this week, William Berkhahn filed a campaign registration statement for a run against District 14 Supervisor Marlin Noffke. The district includes all of the town of Hartland, Ward 1 of the town of Angelica, and Ward 2 of the town of Washington. That brings to eight so far the number of potentially contested County Board races on the ballot in April’s spring election. Two-year terms expire in April for all 27 County Board members. However, District 5 Supervisor Sandy Steinke, has filed a declaration of non-candidacy and isn’t seeking another term. That opens the door for former county jail administrator Steve Borroughs, who has registered to run for that seat and has returned the 20 signatures needed to be on the ballot. Borroughs, who retired as jail administrator in January, wasn’t facing any competition for the seat as of Tuesday. Candidates who have registered to run must file nomination papers with at least 20 signatures by 5 p.m. on Jan. 5. In other potential County Board races, Supervisor Mike McClelland, representing District 4 in Shawano, faces a possible challenge from Aimee Zeinert, of Shawano; John Krizan has registered as a candidate for the District 8 seat held by Rosetta Stern in the town of Wescott; District 10 Supervisor Robert Krause, of Krakow, could face a challenge from David Kohn, of Cecil; District 17 Supervisor Bonnie Olson, of the town of Belle Plaine, faces a possible challenge from Allan Kuhn, of Shawano; and District 21 Supervisor Bert Huntington, of Gresham, faces a possible challenge from Roger Miller, of Bowler. At least one race is official at this point. District 27 Supervisor Jon Zwirschitz, of Birnamwood, will face a rematch against former county supervisor Marion Wnek, of the town of Almon. Both have returned their nomination papers. The spring election will be held April 5. Any primary races will be decided on Feb. 16.