Election Day for the spring election will soon be here. Arriving Tuesday, April 7, residents will have the chance to weigh in on candidates for city, village, and county board. Voters will need to have photo id and/or proof of residency if different from their address in order to vote. Proof of residence can include a utility bill, lease, bank statement, pay stub, student ID, military ID, Employee ID, as well as residential care. Voting will take place at the Community Center in Stanley, with most races are uncontested. So who’s on the ballot for candidates this spring?
Starting with Stanley, Wards 1 and 8 Alderperson Ben Wald is the official registered candidate for mayor in Stanley, with alderman seats otherwise being sought by their incumbents, unless vacant. Mark Fitzsimmons is running for Wards 1 and 8, Therese Metzger for Ward 3, and Aaron Dickson for Wards 4 to 7 and 9. Morgan Marek has declared a write-in candidacy in Ward 2.
As for the Village of Boyd, incumbent Trustee Josh Walters will be the only name on the ballot, Trustee Casey Dorn not returning nomination papers by the filing deadline.
Turning to School board, it’s all incumbents for registered candidates, Denise Hoffstatter running for Area 2 comprising Delmar, Colburn, and Taft, Bob Geist running for Area 3 comprised of the Village of Boyd, and Toni Seidl running for Area 4, defined as the City of Stanley. Candidates must live in the areas they represent, while anyone in the district can cast a vote for them.
At Thorp, incumbent Richard “Bubba” Wnek is being challenged by Jonathan Dircks, while Ward 1 is sought by Michael Einhorn unopposed. Ward 2 at Thorp is being sought by Stanley Lawcewicz, also unopposed, while Brian Abramczak is seeking Ward 3 and Josh Rosemeyer is seeking Ward 4. Rodney Enkers is seeking Alderperson at large for the City of Thorp.
At Gilman meanwhile there are three ballot candidates for three trustee seats, these being Dee Bornheimer, Cheryl Rosemeyer, and registered write-in Derek Romig. Gilman also has three school board candidates (Valerie Kulesa, Lauren Zach, and Derrick Romig) as well as a school operational referendum, with voters asked whether to exceed the revenue limit by $700,000 for four years, beginning with 2026-27. A simple majority is needed to pass.
There are no ballot candidates at Lublin.
Also on the ballot meanwhile are two judgeships, one for Chippewa County Branch 3 sought by Ben Lane and another for State Supreme Court, contested by Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor. See below for questionnaires on the State Supreme Court Race.
As for county board seats, relevant seats are as follows:

Chippewa County Board
District 2 (Ruby, Lake Holcombe, Cornell, part of Estella) - Pam Guthman
District 6 (Colburn, Goetz, Arthur, and parts of Delmar and Estella) - Timothy Goettl
District 8 (City of Stanley) - James Ericksen
District 10 (Delmar, Boyd, and Edson) - Matthew Peterson

Clark County Board
District 6 (Withee township and part of Hixon) - Joe Waichulis Jr.
District 7 (City of Thorp) - Jill Hoff
District 8 (Thorp township, parts of cities of Stanley and Thorp - Arlene Kodl
District 12 (Reseburg) - Roy Tyznik
District 13 (Worden, Butler, Foster North, Foster South, Part of Thorp township) - Al Bower

Taylor County Board
District 15 (Aurora, Ford) - Lynette Rosemeyer
District 16 (Taft Roosevelt, Maplehurst) - Darrell Thompson

The Stanley Republican sent candidates a questionnaire to fill out, with several candidates responding

Starting with Stanley, the mayor’s seat is being sought by Ben Wald, a 36 year old and graduate of Stanley-Boyd with the Class of 2007, Wald resides in Stanley with his wife Angie and a son. Wald shared more in his questionnaire responses:

Name: Ben Wald
Age: 36
Address: 503 E 9th Ave
Position sought: Mayor
General Background: I spent most of my childhood in Stanley and graduated here in 2007. I attended college at UW- River Falls until 2010, when I took a job at Bush Brothers, where I still work.  In 2018, I went back to college at CVTC where I graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. I moved back to Stanley in 2021 with my wife, Angie and we welcomed our son, Rowdy in 2022. I joined the City Council in 2024 where I’ve worked to improve the presence/communication of the City in the community by attending STPR, SCA and Chamber meetings amongst other activities. In my free time I like to spend time with my wife and son, hunt, fish, watch just about any sport, travel, read and listen to music.
What inspired you to run: In my 2 years on council, I’ve enjoyed the work that comes with being a council member. Part of that work is engaging and listening to community members. Something I heard several times over is that community members want change. They want better communication and transparency.  They’re correct. All of us deserve that.  Ultimately, this is what is driving me to run for Mayor.
If I’m fortunate enough to become Mayor, I can assure community members that the City will do a better job communicating. Whether we are using Facebook, quarterly news letters, the Republican, meeting folks out in the community, or other methods, we will be better.
What I ask in return is that residents engage and participate. Attend meetings, review minutes, share ideas, reach out to your Alderman, call City Hall, contact the Mayor, read the information provided in the quarterly news letters, ask constructive questions, run for office if you’re able and please VOTE.

Running a write-campaign for Ward 2 meanwhile is 35-year-old Morgan Marek, a 12-year resident of Stanley, residing with her husband Matt and their eight children on the north side. She shared more in a questionnaire.
Name: Morgan Marek
Age: 35
Address: 210 E 3rd Ave, Stanley, WI 54768 
Background/education: I met my husband, Matthew, who’s from Thorp, in 2010 and we got married in 2013. We moved here to Stanley in 2014, shortly after the birth of our first child. I am a stay-at-home mom to our 8 children, ages 11 to 10 months, and I homeschool them. We enjoy going to church, being outside together and playing games. 
I graduated from Chetek High School with honors in 2009. I have a background in healthcare. I have an Associate of Science in Health Information Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. I spent many years as a CNA which drove my interest in healthcare but realized I needed more. I found the “backside” of healthcare was much more fitting for me, given my interests and passions. Medical coding is my favorite. 
What inspired you to run: In high school I was chosen to attend Badger Girl State and that’s where my love for politics and government started.
I have been around long enough to know that what’s working now isn’t working for our city anymore. I’m ready for change, as are most residents from what I have gathered. I am comfortable standing up and using my voice for people who feel they can’t or won’t. And that’s what I’m running on - being a voice for all of you. I want to make sure everyone is heard and relay information that isn’t relayed otherwise. I want people to know they can come to me with concerns and feel heard but also want people to know what’s happening here, because a lot of what’s happening has been kept quiet.

At Boyd, meanwhile, there are two trustee candidates for two seats, these being Josh Walters and Samuel Sikora. Walters is 36 years old and a resident of East Murray Street, sharing more in his questionnaire.
Name: Joshua Walters
Age: 36
Address: 127 East Murray St. Boyd, WI, 54726
Seat sought: Village Trustee
Background/Education: Associates Degree in Business Management
What inspired you to run: Through my work in EMS/Fire service, I’ve had the chance to serve this community directly. That experience showed me how important local decisions are and it inspired me to step up in a different way and continue serving at the board level.”
As for Sikora, he is also 36 years old and a Boyd resident, sharing his background in a questionnaire.
Name: Samuel Sikora 
Age: 36 years old
Address: Boyd, WI
Position sought: Boyd Trustee
Background: Graduated High school in 2008, after working as a driver for WM Eau Claire I moved into management at WM Marshfield, and WI Rapids for 1 year. Then at WM Somerset for 1 year. Now work at Stanley Correctional to be closer to home. 
What inspired you to run: To make a difference in the village that my family and I call home. 

At Thorp, the mayor’s seat is being contested between Jonathan Dircks and Richard “Bubba” Wnek. Dircks is the challenger while Wnek is the incumbent.
Dircks is 38 and a resident of Thorp on Maple Street. A resident of Thorp as a child until his mom remarried, he moved to Withee and attended Owen-Withee School from fifth grade until graduating. He shared more in a questionnaire.
Name: Jonathan (Jon) Dircks
Age: 38
Address: 301 E. Maple Street. Thorp, WI 54771
Seat sought: Candidate for Mayor of Thorp, WI 
Background/Education: As a child, I lived in Thorp until my mom remarried. We moved to Withee and I went to Owen-Withee Schools from 5th grade until my graduation. 
After graduating, I went to Purpose Institute (Bible College) and studied Ministry. I married my wife, Christin, in 2008 and we have two children. Our daughter, Charlee is 8 and enrolled in Thorp Public School, and our son, Addler, is 3.
I have no degrees but currently work for Spectrum Insurance Group as a Risk Manager/Safety Consultant. 
What inspired you to run: Timing is everything and the time to run is right. I am 38, almost 39. So while I don’t say I am an old man, I do have some life experience I can lean on. I believe it is the best time because I have a daughter enrolled in the Thorp School, we own a home in Thorp, and we are invested in not just living in Thorp but in wanting to see Thorp thrive. It is time for new leadership, not because existing leadership has done a bad job, but because a fresh set of ideas is needed. 
Anything else: What I lack in experience I will make up for in the ability to bring people together. This run isn’t about me being Mayor, it is about giving a voice back to the community of Thorp and truly, making Thorp a place to belong for EVERYONE. 

As for Wnek, he is 65 years old, with residence at 308 West Rusch Street. He grew up in rural Thorp on a dairy farm and graduated from Thorp High School in 1979, then taking computer classes to meet qualifications. Wnek shared more in a questionnaire.
Name: Richard “Bubba” Wnek
Age: 65
Address: 308 West Rusch Street, Thorp
Background/Education:
I grew up in rural Thorp on dairy farm and graduated from Thorp High School in 1979. I took computer classes to meet job qualifications. I worked for a machinery repair, was the parts manager. After the business closed I went to work for Larson Feed Mill here in Thorp as a feed mixer and truck driver which was later sold to Spooner Mills. I was employed at Spooner Mills for twenty years. In 2006, I applied and received the Assistant Manager position at Doboy and became the plant manager. I left the feed business in 2012 and went to work for LaGrander’s Hillside Dairy as their field representative.
I have been on the City Council for 20-plus years, including the last eight as Mayor. Organizations I belong to include Goggle Eye Trap Club and Thorp Sportsman’s Club. Other organizations are Rock Dam Rod and Gun Club, Roosevelt Rod and Gun Club, Stanley Sportsman’s Club, Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors and I am a Coach for the Thorp High School Trap Team and Stanley-Boyd High School Trap Team.
What inspired you to run: I believe the city has three major issues: budgeting for street repairs, hiring police officers, and budgeting to renovate city hall. Street projects we do one every other year. We need to do five to six city blocks to get the best price and also have to have grant money for lead service repairs which have to be completed by 2035. There are not many individuals going into law enforcement. We need to get an officer when available, fresh out of school and keep them in our city. City hall renovation was quoted at a cost of $1.5 million dollars, for that quote a new city hall could be built with all the requirements. We are looking at different options to secure funds for needed updates. Nothing is etched in stone, just planning stages.
Anything Else: A strength I have is I always had jobs working with the public. I have knowledge of our budgets and services which always need to be reviewed to make taxes affordable to the constituents of Thorp.
When I first ran for office 20-plus years ago I wanted to be the voice for the people, young and old generations. Now I can say I even qualify for the older generation.
I feel I am the right candidates for this position as I started as an Alderperson, was elected Alderperson at Large and was City Council President which has given me many years of experience being on the City Council. I am open and always listen to suggestions from my constituents. “Thorp A Place to Belong” a standing motto for the city and community.

Also in contested races is the State Supreme Court, sought by Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor.
Starting with Lazar, she is 62 years old, lives in Waukesha County, and earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, after undergraduate at Mount Mary college. Lazar shared more in a questionnaire.
Name: Hon. Maria Lazar
Court of Appeals Judge, District 2
Age: 62
Address: Live in Waukesha County
Seat sought: Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice
Background/Education:
Waukesha Circuit Court Judge, 7 years
Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District 2 Judge, 4 years
Georgetown University Law Center, JD, Deans List
Mount Mary College, BA with minors, Magna Cum Laude
Long Island University, United Nations Semester
Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
Member, United States Supreme Court Bar
Fellow, Wisconsin Law Foundation
Marquette University Law School, Associate Professor (2 years)
Presenter, State Courts, DOJ, MBA, Waukesha County Bar
RECENT TRAINING: NYU Law School – Appellate Judge Seminar
What inspired you to run: I am running for the State Supreme Court to restore justice, independence, impartiality, and integrity to the courts. I believe every case deserves a fair hearing, free from political influence or partisanship. I have grown increasingly concerned that our judicial elections have turned into bitter, partisan political campaigns where the qualifications and judicial experience of the candidates is ignored and special interest and political parties vie to seat their preferred justice. My home state of Wisconsin deserves better. It deserves a Justice who will remember that the sole purpose of the courts is interpret the Constitution and laws not to legislate from the bench. The goal of justice is not to please any party, but to serve the people.
I have lived my entire professional career with the sole purpose to serve justice, to respect the laws, and to protect the rights of the people of my state. This is a race to restore to the Supreme Court that sense of fairness and integrity that appears to have faltered. Every day that I enter my courthouse or place on my black robe, I remember that obligation – that I owe a solemn duty to the people who have elected me as their judge. I believe that I am the better candidate in this race, that I can do much good for the people of this state, and that my determination and dedication to the law will enhance my service.
The short answer to this question, is that I am running because I believe, in my heart, that this the right thing to do at this time.
Anything else: I have the background both legally and judicially that make me exceedingly qualified for the position of Justice. After graduating from Mount Mary College, I received my law degree, with honors, from Georgetown University Law Center. I spent two decades as a litigator in a small law firm representing middle class businesses and people to secure their rights, followed by five years as an Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ where I represented agencies and officials. It was my work representing the Department of Children and Families in a foster care case where I was devastated when a Dane County Judge told me that the law did not matter. Knowing I could do better, I ran for circuit judge in Waukesha County and served seven years on that bench in many rotations and as presiding judge in two. I then ran for Court of Appeals Judge in District 2, where I have served for four years. My opponent spent two years on the criminal bench after her appointment and has only been on the appellate court for about three years.
During my 11 years as a judge, I have faithfully applied the law to ensure justice for all parties. Unlike a politician, I have never (and will never) legislate from the bench. I presided over Drug Treatment Court. I have taught literacy to adults and served on community boards. I have been active in my church, my children’s schools, and I consistently educate students, lawyers and judges about the courts and our legal system.
My years in private practice, public service, on the trial bench and now as an appellate judge make me the more qualified candidate in this race. I have never been a member of a political party, I have never been appointed to any judicial position.

Running against Lazar for State Supreme Court is Chris Taylor, 58 years old and from Madison. Taylor earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School after earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She shared more in a questionnaire.
Name: Chris Taylor
Age: 58
Address: Madison, Wisconsin
Seat sought: Wisconsin Supreme Court
Background/Education: I earned my law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and my undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
I bring more than 30 years of legal experience across every level of Wisconsin’s justice system. I started my career in private practice, focusing on family law and civil litigation. I then served for eight years as the law and policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, working to protect and expand access to healthcare.
After that, I spent nearly a decade in the Wisconsin State Assembly, where I co-authored approximately 250 bills, including bipartisan legislation to protect survivors of domestic violence. Since 2020, I have served as a judge—first on the Dane County Circuit Court and, since 2023, on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, where I was elected by voters across 24 counties.
What inspired you to run: I’m running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court because I care deeply about people and about protecting their rights and freedoms. I am committed to applying the rule of law in the most fair and independent way possible, and I am passionate about delivering justice to the people of this state. Throughout my career—as an attorney, law and policy director for Planned Parenthood, former legislator, and now as a judge—I have worked to protect Wisconsinites’ rights and freedoms, defend our democracy, and strengthen our fair and independent courts. I hope to continue that work on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and protect the independence of our great state.
Anything else: I would be honored to earn your support on April 7th.

Also responding to candidate questionnaires meanwhile were county Board candidates, including Chippewa County Board candidates Jim Ericksen and Pam Guthman, Ericksen in District 8 and Guthman in District 2.
Both are running unopposed as incumbents. Ericksen is 70 years old and a resident of Stanley, sharing more in a questionnaire.
Name: James Ericksen
Age: As of March 19th, 2026 My age is 70 years, 6 months and 2 days
Address: 519 Kennedy Ave, Stanley, WI 54768
Seat sought: Chippewa County board supervisor District 8 city of Stanley
Background/Education: Born and raised in Stanley, graduated from Stanley Boyd High, 2-year marketing degree technical school Eau Claire Wisconsin, had a retail business in Stanley 31years.
What inspired you to run: To give back to the community that has done so much for me throughout the years ! 
Anything else: Stanley is one of the best communities to grow up in, have a business, and raise a family.  I’m very thankful for Stanley and the areas support throughout the years.

As for Guthman, she is 63 and a resident of Holcombe, sharing more in her questionnaire.

Name: Pamela L. Guthman
Age: 63
Address: 27536 State Hwy 27, Holcombe, WI 54745
Seat sought: Chippewa County Supervisor, District 2
Background/Education: I have many years of registered nursing expertise, ranging from infants to seniors, and including inpatient hospital nursing in my earlier career to home health and hospice care in the community, as well as school nursing and public health/population health nursing. I have been very  fortunate to have the privilege  to work with and alongside so many individuals, families, and communities through the challenges encountered when one is going through health issues. I returned to school to obtain a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Public/Population Health Nursing. This has led to additional opportunities to work more in systems levels, using data to try to improve and make a positive difference in systems and policies affecting our own individual, family and community level of health in Chippewa County. 
What inspired you to run: We are experiencing significant health related challenges and issues in rural areas. I have lived and worked on behalf of the rural population’s health needs in various positions throughout my career. I wanted to give back to the community (ies) where I grew up and support the next generation so we are all thriving and doing the best we all can. I thought with my nursing background, I could help with some of the issues we are facing.  I also believe that there is responsibility at the county level to communicate and address the needs of our county’s constituents (who are our family members and community neighbors) whether it be issues with direct health care (since the loss of the hospitals and clinics in the Chippewa Valley), emergency medical systems, affordable, healthy housing, or human services including transportation, resources for mental health, and support initiatives so our population can be as healthy as possible. This is an important economic factor, because when people are healthy, they have less work absences and are therefore contributing positively to the work environment, community and society overall.

Also responding were Clark County Board candidates Arlene Kodl and Jill Hoff, Kodl in District 8 and Hoff in District 7.
Both are running unopposed as incumbents. Kodl has lived at her address in the Town of Thorp for 45 years and is the longtime clerk for the Town of Thorp. She shared more in a questionnaire.

Name: Arlene Kodl
Address: I have lived in the Town of Thorp at my current address for 45 years.
Position sought: I am seeking the seat of Clark County Board Supervisor District 8 which includes the Town of Thorp Ward 1, City of Thorp Ward 3 and the City of Stanley Ward 8.
Background: I have been the Town Clerk for the Town of Thorp for 31 years. I have been a County Board Supervisor since 2000. I currently serve on the Community Services Committee, Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center Committee, Social Services Committee and Personnel Committee. In the past I have also served on the Finance Committee.
What inspired you to run: I enjoy serving my community and all residents of Clark County.
Hoff shared her questionnaire responses in paragraph form.
“My name is Jill Hoff, and I am honored to be seeking reelection as Clark County District 7 Supervisor, representing a large portion of the City of Thorp. Thorp has been my home for over 60 years, where I raised a family of seven children alongside my late husband. This community is home, and it has been a privilege to give back through public service.
“Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to serve on the Community Services Committee, the Clark County Rehab and Living Center Committee, and the Housing Committee. I was also grateful to be part of the Ad Hoc Committee tasked with evaluating the merger of Community and Social Services into a unified Human Services Department. I am pleased to share that this initiative was recently approved with an unanimous vote, a step I believe will greatly strengthen the support and care available to Clark County residents.
Serving on the board has been an incredibly meaningful experience. It has allowed me to be part of something bigger, working together to make a positive impact in our community. I would be truly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving and representing District 7.”