Although the field is expected to get more crowded by next week, state Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) is the only candidate so far to officially file his nomination signatures needed to be on the ballot for the Milwaukee County executive race.
Stone submitted his signatures Wednesday morning to the Milwaukee County Election Commission.
The original deadline for the candidates to submit 2,000 to 4,000 signatures was Jan. 4. However, the commission extended the deadline to 5 p.m. on Jan. 11 because of the tight window created when outgoing County Executive Scott Walker did not resign from the position until Dec. 27, according to commission administrator Lisa Catlin Weiner.
Walker vacated the county office to become Wisconsin’s governor this week.
Stone, who has been planning his campaign for several months, appears to have an organizational head start on those who will challenge him. He has recruited businessman and philanthropist Michael Cudahy and MillerCoors executive Mike Jones to serve as his campaign co-chairmen. Stone also has recruited Vi Rowley Hammelman, a veteran of former Gov. Tommy Thompson’s campaigns, to serve as his campaign manager, and businessman and attorney Ulice Payne to serve as his campaign treasurer.
Stone said nearly 50 volunteers helped him collect the signatures needed.
“It was impressive to see the enthusiasm of the volunteers. So many different people went out to get signatures from every corner of the county,” Stone said. “With wonderful people like this helping out, we have the opportunity to accomplish great things. I would really like to thank them for all their hard work.”
Stone is likely to try to build a coalition to hold on to the voters who elected Walker in the nonpartisan county executive’s race.
Others who have declared they will enter the race include acting County Executive Lee Holloway, philanthropist Chris Abele and former state Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa).
Holloway, who previously served as county board chairman, appointed himself acting county executive when Walker departed.
"My record speaks for itself as chairman of the board," said Holloway.
Abele is a political novice who will certainly run the most well-financed campaign in the race.
“I understand very clearly the deep and serious challenges facing Milwaukee County, and I have real and new ideas to address them,” Abele said.
Abele’s campaign has hired former Tom Barrett gubernatorial campaign officials Phil Walzak as campaign manager and Pat Gurasci as a fundraiser.
Sullivan lost his Senate seat when he was defeated by Republican Leah Vukmir on Nov. 2.
“It has become increasingly clear that Milwaukee County is in trouble,” Sullivan said. “Every single day, you can read about the county’s woes in the newspaper. We need strong new leadership in the county executive office to help right the ship, and that’s exactly why I’m running.”
Weiner said her office has hired eight additional people to verify the addresses of the signatures that will be turned in by the candidates.
Milwaukee County Clerk Joe Czarnezki and Milwaukee County Supervisor Johnny Thomas announced earlier this week they will not be candidates for the county executive position.
The primary for the race will take place Feb. 15, and the top two contenders will square off in the April 5 general election.
Steve Jagler is executive editor of BizTimes Milwaukee.
