Iron County votes today

Voters in Iron County and elsewhere in Wisconsin are casting their ballots in state and local elections today in the state’s spring election. Although many of the races are uncontested, there are a number of contested elections for Iron County voters to participate in.

The lone contested state-level race facing Iron County voters is the Wisconsin Supreme Court race between liberal-backed Lisa Neubauer and conservative-backed Brian Hagedorn.

There are also several contested local races, including town and school board elections.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hurley School District

Voters in the Hurley School District can take their picks between four candidates — although they’ll only see two names on the ballot. Incumbents Michael Fontecchio and Rick Swartz are the only two names on the ballot for the two three-year terms. There are also two individuals — Leslie Kolesar and Andrew “Andy” Laurin — who have filed papers declaring themselves as write-in candidates. District residents can vote for up to two of the four candidates, with the top two vote-getters serving on the school board.

Mercer Area Races

Mercer voters will decide several contested elections.

Town Chair John Sendra is running for re-election against current Board of Supervisor member Jeff Stenberg.

The other supervisor up for election, Tom Thompson Jr., is running for another term with Eric M. Snow, Christa A. Reinert and Opal Roberts. The top two vote-getters will win seats.

Recently appointed town Clerk Amber Thompson hopes to retain the seat, but former Clerk Christan Brandt’s name is the only one on the ballot. Brandt had intended to run, but then moved away. That’s when the board appointed Thompson, who now is campaigning as a write-in candidate to keep the clerk’s position.

On the ballot for town treasurer, incumbent Lin Miller faces a challenge from Amber Thompson, who hopes to be elected clerk instead. Thompson took out the papers for the treasurer’s position before she was appointed as clerk.

In the race for a spot on the Mercer Sanitary District Commission, incumbent Michael Vecchione faces opposition for his seat from Brandt, who, again, has moved away.

Four people are running for two spots on the Mercer School Board, including incumbent Christa Reinert and newcomers Robert Davis, Paul Chaney and James Hannemann. These are three-year terms.

Mercer voters are also voting on a referendum concerning the approval of an application for a half percent Premiere Resort Area Tax. The measure, which supporters say is designed to primarily target tourists, would generate revenue for road repairs.

Town of Kimball

In the town of Kimball, town board chairman Ron Ahonen is facing a challenge from Joe Simonich for the chairman’s position.

Town Treasurer Pamela Backman is also facing a challenge for her position from Mae Moderson. Two town supervisors and the town clerk are all unopposed in their re-election bids.

Town of Pence.

In the town of Pence, board chairman Michael Paternoster faces no opposition to be re-elected. However, as incumbent Joe Olson is the only person who filed papers to run for two town supervisor seats, Iron County Clerk Michael Saari said all write-in votes are considered in races where there’s an “open slot on the ballot” and no formal write-in candidates.

—Richard Jenkins