Only One of Five Council Races Contested

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Metro Wire Staff

Of the five City Council seats up for reelection in spring, only one is being challenged.

Two-year representative terms for Stevens Point districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 expire on April 3, 2018.  Alders from all five districts have announced they will run for reelection. At press, challengers have emerged only against Ald. Cathy Dugan in District 8.

In District 2, Ald. David Shorr is running unopposed. The first-term councilman beat out incumbent Denise Mrozek in 2016 by a final vote of 392 to 287. In his reelection campaign literature, Shorr lauded his recent involvement in a successful citywide resolution condemning hate speech, support of the city becoming a Green Tier Legacy Community, and having “pressed for Stanley Street to be redesigned so that it’s more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.”

Shorr moved to Stevens Point in 2003 when his wife became a professor at UWSP. His has a background in policy and public administration, and he previously worked on Al Franken’s senatorial campaign in Minnesota. Shorr has a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Incumbent Heidi Oberstadt is running for reelection in District 4, also unopposed. Oberstadt was elected by an earlier council to fill the vacancy left in 2015 when then-Alderman Mike Wiza was elected as mayor. She ran unopposed for a full term in 2016. During her time in office, Oberstatd has remained middle-of-the-road with her politics, and has openly said she relies on department heads for information before she casts a vote. 

Oberstadt graduated from UWSP in 2009 with degrees in music education. She also has a background in conversation work, and owns a local photography business with her husband.

Veteran Councilman Jeremy Slowinski is again running for reelection of District 6. The 1991 SPASH graduate holds two degrees in civil engineering and was first elected to the City Council in 2006, making him the longest-serving current member of the City Council. He previously served as council president and has chaired multiple standing committees. 

He currently works as a fleet supervisor at FedEx. Slowinksi is running unopposed for his seat.

At press, first-term Councilwoman Cathy Dugan is the only candidate with competition in April. Dugan was a regular at City Council meetings prior to being elected, often speaking during the public comment portion of meetings, and previously was appointed to the Redevelopment Authority. A common theme among her public comments now include her desire to see an increase in local employment wages.

Dugan previously worked in the English Dept. at UWSP, where she taught freshman composition.

Lynn Schulist, a newcomer to local government, has also thrown her hat into the ring for District 8. In a press release announcing her candidacy, Schulist said she plans to “bring sound judgement, business experience and a strong dedication to effectively and accurately represent constituents of the 8th District along with City of Stevens Point residents.”

Schulist, now a city resident, is a graduate of Rosholt High School and UWSP. She earned her MBA from the University of Liverpool. She currently works in the private sector as a principal brand strategy manager.

City resident Allan Prosser has also declared his candidacy for District 8. At press, Prosser has not released his information to the media and does not appear to have any social media pages related to his campaign.

In District 10, longtime Councilman Mike Phillips will also run for reelection. Phillips served on the council from 1995 to 2004, and was again elected in 2012.

Retired, but sheet metal worker by trade, Phillips typically votes for fiscal conservancy. He has also repeatedly voiced concerns about the council spending time on social issues not related to city business.

Phillips previously held the position of council president and has chaired several committees. 

Anyone interested in running for City Council has until 5 PM Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 to return the necessary paperwork. Forms and other information are available from city clerk’s office, 1515 Strongs Ave., or online at stevenspoint.com. 

If necessary, a primary election will be held on Feb. 20, 2018.