December 3, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Dist. 4 alderman Randy Koehler of West Bend turned in the required signatures and candidacy papers on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 to run for office again in April 2021.
On Dec. 1, 2020 candidates could start circulating papers and collecting signatures. In West Bend, the even numbered aldermanic districts are up for election April 6, 2021.
Koehler was appointed to fill the seat on the common council in Dist. 4 this past April 2020; he was sworn in in May 2020.
Koehler is a lifelong resident of West Bend; he represented the district from 2011 – 2015.
“My goal, as it was in the past, would be to keep offering the great services the City provides while holding the line on taxes and improving infrastructure at a reasonable rate,” wrote Koehler.
Three other candidates also pulled papers including:
District 8 – Cliff Van Beek took out papers. Click HERE for a map of District 8. Van Beek submitted paperwork in February 2020 to fill the seat left open following the resignation of alderman Roger Kist.
District 6 – Josh McCutcheon, 37, has served on many boards and committees but this is his first foray into public office. “I’ve always been interested in local communities and working towards the greater good,” said McCutcheon. “I’ve been considering running for alderman for a few years; the timing now just works out good for my family.”
District 6 – Tracy Ahrens turned in declaration of candidacy papers.
District 6 is currently an open seat on the West Bend Common Council following the passing of alderman Steve Hoogester.
If three candidates file in one district there would be a primary election in February 2021.
The council is reportedly going to discuss the vacancy in a couple weeks. Several elected officials say they doubt a replacement will be named because the 2021 budget has already passed and there is a short timeframe prior to the April 2021 election so it is unlikely the council will push to appoint someone to fill the seat.
Normally with a mid-term vacancy applications would be requested and interviews conducted before an appointment would be made. That process takes between four weeks and a month and with the Christmas and New Year’s breaks, the timetable could be pushed within two months of the April 2021 election.
The council will likely take up naming a new council president; Steve Hoogester previously held that position. At this point, Dist. 1 alderman John Butschlick holds the most seniority on the common council and would be considered the early favorite should he accept the nomination.
This isn’t the first time there’s been a vacancy on the council. In February 2020 the council went through the process to fill a vacancy in District 8. Click HERE for details on other vacancies in city government.
Click HERE to review other races in the Spring Election in Washington County.