Dugan Reverses Decision to Withdraw

By Brandi Makuski

Ald. Cathy Dugan has changed her mind and will now run for a second term.

Dugan, who represents the city’s 8th District, announced on her Facebook page last week that while her name would still appear on the April 3 ballot, she had decided to not seek reelection, citing lack of time to properly organize an effective campaign.

In another Facebook post dated on Jan. 10, Dugan said she’s reconsidered “after receiving encouragement from supporters and constituents in the last few days.”

“I have decided to place my name back in contention for the District 8 seat on the Stevens Point City Council,” Dugan wrote. “Therefore, I will run in the February 20 primary election, and if successful, in the April 3 spring election. With help from friends and constituents, I will have the resources necessary to run two campaigns.”

Dugan also promised to list her accomplishments from her first term in the near future.

A message left for Dugan has not been returned.

Dugan defeated incumbent Tony Patton for the seat in April of 2016 by a vote of 522-400. Since then, she’s regularly voiced concerns about living wages in the city, and has often supported social justice causes taken up by the council majority.

Of the five seats up for reelection in April, Dugan’s is the only contested City Council race, having been challenged by candidates Lynn Schulist, and Allan Prosser. Both are newcomers to local government.