MONROE — With 31 members, the Green County Board is the county’s biggest deliberative body, and has the most candidates — not surprisingly in the 2026 economic climate — focused on the economy, taxes, and growth.
In District 1, write-in candidate Sean Meirose, 33, of Monroe, is running for the seat previously held by Linda Boll. A project manager for software firm Epic, he cites his business and project management experience, and his service as a board member for the Monroe Optimists Club.
“The county plans to invest in big infrastructure projects and I have experience managing projects of that scale, providing progress updates and keeping an eye on budgets,” he said. “My work with the Monroe Optimists Club and Green County Leaders keeps me informed of what’s going on in the community and ensures I will know who to talk to if someone in my district needs help.”
Meirose’s opponent, Jim Brown, 76, is also a write-in candidate. Formerly of Delavan, he is a pastor and former member of the Wisconsin Council on Special Education — Citizens Advisory Committee. The biggest issues in the race, he said, are finances and taxation, maintaining local public safety, and making progress as a county while respecting everyone.
In District 2, incumbent Melissa Even, 56, is running unopposed. An Iowa native, she is running for her third term on the board. She cites economics as a key issue facing the county in the years ahead. She is an advocate for more affordable housing, a focus on public safety, finances, and public service.
“I have found a wonderful balance between my commitments to serving our county while maintaining my full-time employment. It’s great when employers recognize the importance of community service,” she said.
In District 3, incumbent Joe Snow is running unopposed. He is a retired 35-year veteran of fire service; serving five years as a volunteer firefighter in Columbus, and 30 years as a career firefighter in Eau Claire. He retired in 2014 at the rank of lieutenant.
Board Chairman and longtime incumbent Jerry Guth is running unopposed in District 4.
Running unopposed to represent District 5 in Monroe is Peg Sheaffer.
In District 6, which also covers Monroe, Michael Furgal, is running unopposed to continue a 35-year run of service on the board.
The race for District 7 pits incumbent Brenda Carus, who grew up on a dairy farm in the area, against write-in Paula Vestin.
The District 8 seat is also unopposed, with registered write-in Nicole Wilcox on the ballot.
To represent District 9 in Monroe, Jessie Johnson faces Amy Jo Walter, a firefighter/paramedic, who has held a teaching position with the University of Illinois, Illinois Fire Service Institute. Johnson said affordable housing, mental health services and economic development are the top issues facing the county.
“I want to help in whatever way I can. I want to make sure people of District 9 are as informed and involved as possible,” said Johnson. “I also want to insure representation of all the people regardless of financial means.”
Walter has said she wants to provide a voice for District 9, bringing a personal perspective to the decision-making process, awareness of the elderly population, and asking tough questions during board meetings, as areas of her focus.
“Make it make sense,” she said.
The race for District 10 incumbent features incumbent Larry Kranig, the owner of Monroe Sign Design, up against Katy Christensen-Dickson, 52, of Browntown. She said improving infrastructure, affordable healthcare and taxes are top of mind for area voters in the county.
“I am actively involved in local organizations, including 4-H in Browntown and at the county level, my church council, and within local schools,” she said. “These experiences have kept me closely connected to the people and issues that matter most in our community.”
District 11 incumbent David Tschudy is running unopposed. In 2021, he retired from the Green County Sheriff’s Office after a 31-year career in law enforcement, most of that working for the county.
District 12 incumbent William Burchard of Juda is facing Brian McKeon, 69, on the April 7 ballot. The newcomer to politics cites infrastructure/taxes, land use — especially as it relates to solar and wind farms; and data centers — as critical business for county residents in the years ahead.
“I feel that I am a good listener, I will analyze the information I am confronted with and make informed decision,” said McKeon. “My wife was a county employee for 26 years and was the Emergency Management director for several years so I feel I have a basic understanding of county government.”
The District 13 incumbent on the ballot is Yvette Smith, 56, cites housing, land use/data centers and efficient financial spending, as top of mind, in her view.
Smith is up against Dawn Leach.
District 14 incumbent and County Board Vice Chair Kristi Leonard is unopposed.
The race in District 15 in the Town of Monroe has incumbent Nick Hartwig facing Jane Sulzer Skelton, 67, a local business owner since 1994 and a practicing CPA for over 32 years. Controlling taxes and county power; and public safety are top of mind for the newcomer.
“I think that we need to get a handle on the tax burden of our residents,” Sulzer Skelton said. “High real estate taxes keep rents high and make it harder for individuals to own their own homes.”
For voters of District 16, which covers portions of the Town of Sylvester and Town of Mt. Pleasant, incumbent Isaiah Carlson is unopposed.
Incumbent Dennis Schwartz of District 17 near Brodhead is also unopposed.
A pair of registered write-in candidates are dueling to represent District 18. They are Paul Hardenstine and Tom Simpson.
The District 19 spot likely belongs to unopposed newcomer Franz Mussared Varga for the seat currently held by Paul Roemer.
“I care deeply about the future of Brodhead and Green County’s success,” Varga said. “Green County has so many strengths in its favor as it is conveniently nestled close to multiple major cities, in addition to its strong Swiss heritage and cheese making roots. I want to bring my experiences in previous boards to working with the Green County Board of Supervisors.”
District 20 also includes Brodhead, and is represented by incumbent Sam Wilke. He is up against registered write-in Edward “Casey” Jones.
In the race for District 21, incumbent Russ Torkelson of Monticello is being challenged by newcomer Eric Wild, who is concerned about taxes and growth.
“I’m running because I care deeply about our community and want to ensure that local government is responsive, transparent, and focused on real results. I see opportunities to improve how we manage resources, support working families, and plan for long-term growth,” he said. “I want to be a voice for residents who feel overlooked and make sure their concerns are heard and addressed. I believe our county deserves new ideas and a fresh set of eyes, when the same voices lead for too long, it can lead to comfort with the status quo.”
The race to represent voters in District 22 — mostly made up of Monticello — is unopposed, with incumbent Harvey W Kubly seeking another term.
Also unopposed is the candidate for District 23, incumbent Susan Knox of Albany.
In District 24, longtime incumbent Linda Roth, 52, is running for a fourth term. In addition to County Board, she servers as Commissioner for Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission; and is a Green County Leaders Alum for 2018. She said she is dedicated to a life of service in the region.
Roth faces newcomer Douglas J Lawrence.
“I value fair, open, and transparent representation and strive to provide that. I also enjoy the work that is required as a County Board Supervisor and find fulfillment as a civil servant,” Roth said, adding that she considers top issues to be an aging population and population decline; as well as state and federal cuts/budgetary issues, and county growth/infrastructure.
District 25 incumbent Todd Larson of Blanchardville is unopposed for another term.
Pat Silver also is unopposed in District 26. Incumbent Jody Hoesly, who served as the board’s second vice chair, is not on the Spring ballot.
In New Glarus’ District 27, incumbent Roger Truttmann is up against newcomer Steve Donovan, who owns Steve Donovan Film & Video, a small business that works with organizations across Wisconsin and Fortune 500 companies nationally.
“I am motivated by a desire to stay engaged in the community and contribute in a meaningful way,” said Donovan, who also cited economics, demographic/population challenges, and community/county communication as issues he wants to focus on.
Incumbent Jenifer Gassman of New Glarus is up against newcomer Sam Rikkers for the District 28 seat. Rikkers cites strong infrastructure, public services, economic development, supporting farmers, small businesses, and workers issues.
“I’ve spent much of the last 15 years leading economic development efforts at the state and federal level,” said Rikkers. “Since 2019, I’ve served as deputy secretary and chief operating officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, our state’s lead economic development organization.”
And from 2014 to 2017, Rikkers led the USDA’s Rural Business Cooperative Service, a federal agency focused on boosting the viability of rural businesses, promoting cooperatives, and creating job opportunities.
In District 29, incumbent Mark Gundlach of rural Monticello is unopposed, as is District 30 representative Dawn M. Sass of Belleville, who served three terms as Green County Supervisor and one as the Wisconsin State Treasurer.
“I want to help the voices of my constituents to be heard,” said Sass. “The prices of everything have risen and as a board member I can help the other members of the board to see that my neighbors are feeling their budgets tighten and that we have a duty to be fiscally responsible.”
Finally, the race for District 31, incumbent Kathy Pennington of Belleville is unopposed.
