Three seek District 10 seat on Stevens Point Common Council
Metro Wire Staff
STEVENS POINT — Three candidates are running for the District 10 seat on the Stevens Point Common Council in the Feb. 17 primary election.
The candidate questionnaire was prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Stevens Point Area Voter Services Committee, a nonpartisan organization that educates residents about candidates and issues on the ballot. Community partners include the Portage County Business Council, the Pointers Vote Coalition and the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point Student Government Association.
Candidates were asked to share their background, why they are running and the top issues facing the city. Responses are published as submitted, with minor edits for clarity and length.
Zack Sowieja
Biography
Sowieja graduated from University of Wisconsin–Madison with dual degrees in political science and sociology. He works in human resources at Delta Dental of Wisconsin.
He said his career has allowed him to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences that have informed his decision-making and strengthened his desire to represent the community.
Sowieja is married and has two children who attend Stevens Point public schools. He said his family has helped shape his beliefs and motivated him to run for office.
Why are you running?
“I have always had a desire to seek office, and now that I am firmly entrenched in the Stevens Point community, I viewed it as an opportunity to provide a voice to those in my district and the things that matter most to our community,” Sowieja said. “I hope to represent the citizens of Stevens Point as the city faces a pivotal crossroads in its journey to becoming a thriving city in Central Wisconsin.”
Top priorities
Sowieja identified community safety, maintaining and updating infrastructure, and balancing business growth with neighborhood concerns as his top issues.
He said he would work with city department leaders to improve safety, ensure infrastructure remains modern and collaborate with residents on planning, zoning and future development decisions.
Matt Moldenhauer
Biography
Moldenhauer holds an associate of applied science degree in IT cybersecurity. He works in IT support serving multiple food manufacturing facilities and previously worked in customer service roles.
He said his job often involves solving problems while balancing the perspectives and priorities of different people, experience he believes will help him advocate for all constituents on the council.
Why are you running?
“My main priorities are to modernize our zoning code to encourage more diverse and affordable housing options and to improve communication and transparency in the city government,” Moldenhauer said. “Residents should be able to easily follow and understand what is happening with city government.”
Top priorities
Moldenhauer identified city communication, housing costs and rising property taxes as the top issues facing Stevens Point.
He said the city should be more proactive in sharing information about meetings, agendas and ways residents can provide input.
He supports updating zoning rules to allow more affordable housing styles, including row houses, cottage courts, quadplexes and smaller detached homes. He also said the city should modernize processes to improve efficiency and avoid creating new tax incremental financing districts so new development generates tax revenue and reduces the burden on other residents.
Robert Larson
Larson did not provide responses to the questionnaire.