10 La Crosse mayoral candidates address racism, budgeting amid COVID-19, other issues
January 21, 2021 9:58 PM Mike Tighe
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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) The 10 candidates for La Crosse mayor wrestled with some of the major issues facing the city, including systemic racism, budgeting amid financial pressures from COVID-19, affordable housing, and police oversight.
The racial issue prompted references to local demonstrations related to George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis on May 25, as well as the Jan. 6 riot of President Donald Trump supporters in Washington, D.C.
“This past summer, we saw the youth of our community lead on this issue,” said Jessica Olson, who now represents District 8 on the Common Council.
Tenth candidate makes way into La Crosse mayoral race
January 6, 2021 11:55 AM Site staff
Katherine Blanchard released the following statement Wednesday:
“If I’m elected mayor I’m hoping to find a way to keep property taxes from rising, help find a solution for our homeless population and address their needs, encourage more small business owners and make it easier to open there business in our town. Also would like to see LaCrosse use local contractor’s for work done here.”
Blanchard joins a packed field including: Council member Jessica Olson, Council president Martin E. Gaul, Mitch Reynolds, Christopher Stolpa, Vicki Markussen, Samuel Schneider, Greg Saliaris, Zebulon P. Kemp and Joe Konradt. Another candidate, Paul Michael Weber, did not return his paperwork in time to be on the ballot in the February primary.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) The list of candidates running to be La Crosse’s next mayor is still growing. Two more candidates officially announced they are running today.
Sam Schneider, kicked off his campaign in front of city hall. Schneider owns and runs a home and office cleaning service. He’s 18 years old.
“When you talk about lack of experience, it all has to do with perspective. I think that the idea is, we want fresh perspective. I don’t come to this issue thinking that I know everything, and I know that I don’t,” said Sam Schneider.
Another candidate, Vicki Markussen also announce her candidacy today. Markussen is the former CEO of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce.
Former head of La Crosse Area Chamber to announce run for mayor
December 16, 2020 9:04 PM Site staff
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Vicki Markussen is expected to formally announce her candidacy Thursday.
Markussen already has a campaign website set-up and has begun a social media push.
“I am dedicated and passionate about La Crosse. I feel called to serve the people who have helped form me, my family, my children, and this great community in which we live. I see the challenges and opportunities this City faces, and I see the path we must unite to take together,” says Markussen’s statement on her website.
Christopher Stolpa joins La Crosse mayoral race
December 16, 2020 2:13 PM Site staff
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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) Christopher Stolpa, the former owner of Stolpa’s Stein Haus on Jay Street, has thrown his hat into the race to be La Crosse’s next mayor.
Stolpa, a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse alum, said he is joining the race for mayor after six-months of traveling that showed him how much he loves La Crosse.
“Upon my arrival back to La Crosse, I was horrified at what has happened to our small business sector and honestly to the mental wellbeing of our citizens,” Stolpa said. “As mayor, I would devote all of time to helping La Crosse. I mean all of my time. I have nothing else holding me back from making our town the best it can be.”