MONROE — The Spring election saw four of five local school district referendums pass, with many new faces claiming positions of mayors, alderpersons, county board supervisors and school board members. The state also overwhelmingly elected liberal Chris Taylor (60.1%) to the State Supreme Court over conservative judge Maria Lazar (39.8%).
Green County had a total of 12,798 voters cast a ballot, with a participation rate that ranked among the tops in the state. Much of the reason could be attributed to local school districts heading to referenda.
According to unofficial totals in Green County, Monticello school district passed an operational referendum to help fund the budget year after year, with 63.9% of voters approving the measure. The success was shared in Lafayette County with Darlington (60.3%), Shullsburg (63.8%) and Black Hawk (57.3%) also passing referendums to close the gap on the lack of state funding.
The problem is widespread across the state. In recent years, Albany, Belleville, Brodhead, Juda, Monticello and New Glarus have had voter-approved authority to exceed revenue limits for operations.
The School District of Monroe was less fortunate, however, as its nonrecurring measure of $2.75 million for four years failed by 154 total votes, 2,957-2,803 — a 51.3% to 48.6% margin. The District has already cut savings to the tune of $2.4 million the past few years (about 28 jobs), as state reimbursement lacks and a $2.2 million in the revenue limit has been lost per year. The levy per pupil is $6,535, while the state average is $7,929. A plan to cut nearly two dozen positions plus other expenses is being determined.
“While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, I want to sincerely thank our Monroe community for taking the time to stay informed, ask thoughtful questions, and participate in the process,” said superintendent Joe Monroe in an email to staff and families of students. “This decision creates significant and very real challenges for our school district. In the coming weeks and months, we will implement our budget reduction plan as we work to address our financial realities while continuing to serve our students to the best of our ability.”
Among the 22.5 positions that are planned to be eliminated (teachers and support staff) will be one administrative position. The District will then have fewer class offerings at the middle and high school levels. Current high school students have planned a class walkout on Friday, April 10 to showcase their thoughts on the results, as AP courses for college credit are among those that could be on the chopping block.
“Please know this: our commitment to our students and to this community remains unchanged. We will continue to focus on academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in all that we do,” Supt. Monroe said. “We also remain committed to engaging with you. Your voice is important, and we will continue to seek input and keep our community informed as we navigate the path ahead. Monroe is a community that cares deeply about its schools. That was evident throughout this process, and it will continue to guide our work moving forward.”
Nearby districts that also failed to pass a referendum include Dodgeville and Sauk Prairie.
In Monroe, a breakdown of the District vote totals reveal the district is a microcosm of the nation as a whole. Typically, urban areas tend to vote for more liberal causes and approve of additional taxes that would go to government-run social programs and education. Rural voters, meanwhile, typically vote more conservative and for politicians that are against tax hikes. Of the nine city wards, eight had a majority of “Yes” votes. Of the 11 precincts outside of the city limits, just one had a majority of “Yes” votes.
Much of the reason many voters chose “No”, was the heavy tax burden and rising costs of living already on their plate. In 2022, District voters approved an $88 million capital referendum to build a new high school — which will complete construction over the next few months. The County Board also approved the new construction of a new jail at the Sheriff’s Office, with the highway department also looking for a new location and build. Across the city for a handful of years now, voices have called for a new Senior Center, as well as a public works building, infrastructure projects and a wastewater treatment plant expansion.
The culmination of aging buildings, many of which constructed more than 60 years ago, with the rising costs for new home purchases, rent, groceries, home utilities and gasoline, has left wallets seemingly as thin as ever before.
Monroe’s school board will also have some fresh faces after canvassing is completed. Longtime board member Nikki Austin chose not to run for re-election, and current board member Michael Froseth, Jr. finished fourth in a six-person race for three seats. Incumbent Terri Montgomery received the most votes with 3,069. Joining her on the board will be Caleb Ahrens (2,631) and Melissa Phillips (2,347). Froseth (2,081) served one term on the board. James McKenzie (1,754) and Jami Cregan (947) also were on the ballot.
The City of Monroe also elected a new mayor to replace outgoing Donna Douglas, current alder Tom Miller (1,577), who topped fellow alder Corinne Wartenweiller (757) and newcomer Kevin Lollock (1,058).
Five Common Council alder positions were up for grabs as well. Incumbents Heidi Treuthardt (2,000), Richard Thoman (1,584), Matt Scheaffer (1,660) and Christopher Vestin (1,355) will return to the board and welcome new alder Darlene Voelkli (1,495). Carson Eddy (1,058), Maxwell Brooks (1,238) and two-time alder Lynn Kleven (1,237) came up short.
Miller’s position on the board will be opened as he moves into the mayoral role, and a search will be on to fill his seat. In July 2025, Vestin was appointed to the Common Council and served out the remainder of the term following the death of alderperson Mary Jane Grenzow.
Brodhead also elected a new mayor to replace Thomas Simpson, as Jill Baxter (471) defeated opponent Troy Nyman (250). However, Nyman finished second in the three-person race for a Brodhead alder position (405), joining Mary Bartels (438) and Tonya Hegi Colvin (401). Ben Gritzmaker (339) finished fourth.
Unofficial Spring Election Results, April 7, 2026
Green County
*** 2 or more counties within the district
Justice of the Supreme Court (Vote for 1)
Chris Taylor — 7,700
Maria S. Lazar — 4,710
Court of Appeals Judge, District 4 (Vote for 1)
Rachel A. Graham — 8,739
Write-ins — 105
District 1 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Write-ins — 120
District 2 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Melissa Even — 296
Write-ins — 6
District 3 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Joe Snow — 414
Write-ins — 418
District 4 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Jerry Guth — 299
Write-ins — 6
District 5 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Peg Sheaffer — 291
Write-ins — 15
District 6 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Mike Furgal — 232
Write-ins — 4
District 7 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Brenda Carus — 221
Write-ins — 45
District 8 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Write-ins — 73
District 9 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
J. Johnson — 72
Amy Jo Walter — 145
Write-ins — 4
District 10 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Larry Kranig — 275
Katy Christensen-Dickson — 207
Write-ins — 1
District 11 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
David Tschudy — 401
Write-ins — 1
District 12 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Brian McKeon — 167
William Burchard — 209
Write-ins — 1
District 13 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Dawn Leach — 163
Yvette Smith — 104
Write-ins 2
District 14 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Kristi Leonard — 319
Write-ins — 9
District 15 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Jane Sulzer Skelton — 325
Nick Hartwig — 206
Write-ins — 3
District 16 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Isaiah Carlson — 396
Write-ins — 11
District 17 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Dennis Schwartz — 257
Write-ins — 4
District 18 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Write-ins — 56
County Board Supervisor, District 19 (Vote for 1)
Franz Mussared Varga — 186
Write-ins — 7
District 20 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Sam Wilke — 214
Write-ins — 21
District 21 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Russ Torkelson — 290
Eric Wild — 168
Write-ins — 1
District 22 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Harvey W. Kubly — 315
Write-ins — 10
District 23 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Susan Knox — 236
Write-ins — 2
District 24 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Douglas J. Lawrence — 148
Erica Roth — 189
Write-ins — 1
District 25 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Todd Larson — 371
Write-ins — 8
District 26 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Pat Silver — 356
Write-ins — 2
District 27 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Roger J. Truttmann — 165
Steve Donovan — 189
Write-ins — 3
District 28 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Sam Rikkers — 243
Jenifer Gassman — 153
Write-ins — 3
District 29 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Mark Gundlach — 354
Write-ins — 2
District 30 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Dawn Marie Sass — 285
Write-ins — 1
District 31 County Board Supervisor (Vote for 1)
Kathy Pennington — 294
Write-ins — 6
New Glarus Town Board Supervisor 3 (Vote for 1)
Mark Pernitz — 301
Drew Delforge — 213
Write-ins — 3
New Glarus Town Board Supervisor 4 (Vote for 1)
Dan Gartzke — 416
Write-ins — 9
Town and Village of Albany Municipal Judge (Vote for 1)
A.B. Runaas — 508
Write-ins — 509
Village of Albany Trustee (Vote for 3)
Tonya Stephan — 165
Kimberly Klein — 144
Brooke Helley — 102
Fred Johnson — 152
Write-ins — 14
Village of Belleville Trustee (Vote for 3)***
Scott Canon — 110 (Total: 610)
Melissa P. Francois — 68 (Total: 533)
Kelly Neis — 104 (Total: 603)
Tony Boehen — 63 (Total: 391)
Write-ins — 3 (Total: 22)
Village of Brooklyn Trustee (Vote for 3)***
Christian Allen — 63 (Total: 228)
Michael Gehrmann — 50 (Total: 221)
Write-ins — 8 (Total: 26)
Village of Browntown Trustee (Vote for 2)
Joan Pickett — 46
Jacob E. Holverson — 40
Write-ins — 1
Village of Monticello Trustee (Vote for 3)
Julie Garrison — 310
Rene Nicholson — 298
Joseph D. Elmer — 289
Write-ins — 6
Village of New Glarus Trustee (Vote for 3)
Jesse James Donahue — 556
Sarah Claus — 513
Jon Hovland — 499
Write-ins — 19
City of Brodhead Mayor (Vote for 1)***
Jill Baxter — 452 (Total: 471)
Troy Nyman — 246 (Total: 250)
Write-ins — 7 (Total: 7)
City of Brodhead Alderperson (Vote for 3)***
Mary Bartels — 423 (Total: 438)
Tonya Hegi Colvin — 389 (Total: 401)
Ben Gritzmaker — 326 (Total: 339)
Troy Nyman — 391 (Total: 405)
Write-ins — 21 (Total: 21)
City of Monroe Mayor (Vote for 1)
Kevin Lollock — 1,058
Tom D. Miller — 1,577
Corinne F. Wartenweiler — 757
Write-ins — 10
City of Monroe Alderperson (Vote for 5)
Lynne Kleven — 1,237
Heidi Treuthardt — 2,000
Carson S. Eddy — 1,058
Christopher Vestin — 1,355
Richard Thoman — 1,584
Darlene Voelkli — 1,495
Matt Sheaffer — 1,660
Maxwell Brooks — 1,238
Write-ins — 77
Albany School Board Member (Vote for 2)***
Valerie K. Johnson — 485 (Total: 487)
Adam R. Kopp — 493 (Total: 498)
Dennis Murphy — 343 (Total: 346)
Write-ins — 11 (Total: 11)
Argyle School Board Member (Vote for 2)***
Derek Zimmerman — 94 (Total: 331)
Heath Isely — 116 (Total: 356)
Write-ins — 2 (Total: 2)
Belleville School Board Member (Vote for 3)***
Ryan Kubly — 553 (Total: 1,320)
Steve Elliott — 506 (Total: 1,187)
Katie Woehrle — 573 (Total: 1,379)
Write-ins — 20 (Total: 40)
Black Hawk School Board Member (Vote for 2)***
Dustin Williams — 82 (Total: 504)
Brenda K. Peterson — 45 (Total: 421)
Clayton Ruegsegger — 89 (Total: 530)
Write-ins — 0 (Total: 0)
Brodhead School Board Member (Vote for 3)***
Carl Hearing — 561 (Total: 638)
Michael Oellerich — 624 (Total: 728)
Jennifer Flory — 826 (Total: 965)
Ethan G. Reed — 401 (Total: 454)
Dennis Wendt — 340 (Total: 401)
Write-ins — 20 (Total: 25)
Evansville School Board Member (Vote for 3)***
Kody Trawicki — 18 (Total: 1,440)
Elliot Samuel-Lamm — 10 (Total: 1,340)
Melissa M. Hammann — 18 (Total: 1,351)
Elliott Day — 7 (Total: 958)
Mitch Larson — 17 (Total: 1,767)
Write-ins — 0 (Total: 33)
Juda School Board Member (Vote for 2)
Heidi Rufer — 127
Stacy Rufer — 102
Courtney Martins — 170
Amber Scheidegger — 212
Write-ins — 4
Monroe School Board Member (Vote for 3)
Caleb Ahrens — 2,631
James McKenzie — 1,754
Terri Montgomery — 3,069
Michael Froseth, Jr. — 2,081
Jami Cregan — 947
Melissa A. Phillips — 2,347
Write-ins — 66
Monticello School Board Member (Vote for 2)
Sally Roe — 706
Laura Eyler — 664
Write-ins — 17
New Glarus School Board Member (Vote for 3)***
Casey McCoy — 937 (Total: 1,019)
Heather Thornton — 960 (Total: 1,033)
Mindy Marty — 730 (Total: 795)
Cassie Ballweg — 988 (Total: 1,071)
Write-ins — 20 (Total: 21)
Oregon School Board Member, Area 1 (Vote for 1)***
Matt Ledbetter — 147 (Total: 6,118)
Write-ins — 4 (Total: 64)
Oregon School Board Member, Area 2 (Vote for 1)***
Heather Garrison — 153 (Total: 6,122)
Write-ins — 1 (Total: 60)
Oregon School Board Member, Area 3 (Vote for 1)***
Josh Kaurich — 100 (Total: 2,375)
Caleb Bush — 96 (Total: 5,119)
Write-ins — 0 (Total: 27)
Pecatonica School Board Member (Vote for 3)***
Marsha Hermanson Crooks — 120 (Total: 612)
Steve Acheson — 99 (Total: 474)
Megan Leonard — 136 (Total: 674)
Mark Hazlitt — 57 (Total: 337)
Write-ins — 3
Black Hawk School District Referendum (Vote for 1)***
Yes — 95 (Total: 512)
No — 51 (Total: 380)
Monroe School District Referendum (Vote for 1)
Yes — 2,803
No — 2,957
Monticello School District Referendum (Vote for 1)
Yes — 597
No — 336
Lafayette County
*** 2 or more counties within the district
Justice of the Supreme Court (Vote for 1)
Chris Taylor — 2,405
Maria S. Lazar — 1,951
Court of Appeals Judge, District 4 (Vote for 1)
Rachel A. Graham — 3,306
Write-ins — 0
District 1 County Board Supervisor
Larry Ludlum — 99
Patrick Shea — 93
District 2 County Board Supervisor
Mark J. Pinch — 205
District 3 County Board Supervisor
Jack S. Sauer — 206
District 4 County Board Supervisor
John E. Reichling — 235
District 5 County Board Supervisor
Luke McGuire — 213
District 6 County Board Supervisor
Jeff Berget — 190
District 7 County Board Supervisor
Bob Boyle — 184
District 8 County Board Supervisor
Jed Grant — 250
District 9 County Board Supervisor
Joe Schutte — 194
District 10 County Board Supervisor
Gary M. Benson — 253
District 11 County Board Supervisor
Donna Flannery — 292
District 12 County Board Supervisor
Peter Whitcomb — 104
Carmen K. McDonald — 131
District 13 County Board Supervisor
Lee A. Gill — 264
District 14 County Board Supervisor
Emmett Reilly — 305
District 15 County Board Supervisor
Scott Pedley — 212
District 16 County Board Supervisor
Write-ins — 14
Cuba City Mayor***
Tim Hazen — 53 (Total: 380)
Cuba City Alderperson District 3***
Frank Raupp — 50 (Total: 95)
Darlington Mayor
David L. Roelli — 448
Darlington Alderperson District 1
Kerry Black — 157
Darlington Alderperson District 2
Kevin Andrews (Write-In) — 5
Other Write-ins — 4
Darlington Alderperson District 3
Joseph Boll — 139
Shullsburg Mayor
Dan Morrissey — 336
Shullsburg Alderperson at Large
Duane Wedige — 243
Emmett Reilly — 299
Argyle Village President
Joe Schutte — 134
Argyle Village Trustee
Colton Ploessl — 128
Garry Rossing — 111
Penny Monahan — 123
Belmont Village Trustee
Dennis Popp — 182
Kathy Reichers 218
March Pinch — 177
Benton Village Trustee
Bill Mowry — 193
John Perkins — 200
Cal Robbins — 105
Steve Brink — 180
Blanchardville Village Trustee***
Kimmie Marty — 129 (Total: 173)
Neal S. Klassy — 127 (Total: 172)
Gregory D. Waldoch — (Write-in: 7)
Other Write-ins — 4
Gratiot Village Trustee
Drew McGlynn — 52
Hazel Green Village Trustee***
David Jegerlehner — 4 (Total: 151)
Eric McAuliffe — 4 (Total: 159)
Rob Schmidt — 5 (Total: 138)
South Wayne Village Trustee
Emily Stietz — 107
Jeff Cobb — 75
Jim Dahl — 59
Argyle School District Board Member
Derek Zimmerman — 237
Heath Isely — 240
Belmont School District Board Member
Gavin Austin — 205
Crystal Ripp — 258
Vaughn Mester — 336
Chip McNett — 218
Allison Leitzinger — 250
Pecatonica School District Board Member***
Marsha Hermanson Crooks — 200 (Total: 612)
Steve Acheson — 154 (Total: 474)
Megan Leonard — 219 (Total: 674)
Mark Hazlitt — 105 (Total: 337)
Write-ins — 0 (Total: 2)
Benton School District Board Member***
Jeff Richardson — 340 (Total: 345)
Megan Flatley — 334 (Total: 337)
Black Hawk School District Board Member***
Dustin Williams — 422 (Total: 504)
Brenda K. Peterson — 376 (Total: 421)
Clayton Ruegsegger — 441 (Total: 530)
Cuba City School District Board Member***
Kyle Kent — 92 (Total: 620)
Carl W. Thalacker — 61 (Total: 431)
Gary Andrews — 79 (Total: 522)
Darlington School District Board Member
Nicholas Zuberbuhler — 935
Valerie Bryson — 1,023
Jeff Stauffacher — 922
Platteville School District Board Member***
Joshua Grabandt — 31 (Total: 1,570)
Katrina M. Hecimovic — 31 (Total: 1,700)
Curt Timlin — 34 (Total: 1,563)
Mineral Point School District Board Member***
Jonie L. Heisner — 25 (Total: 884)
Andy Busch — 25 (Total: 899)
Write-ins — 0 (Total: 12)
Shullsburg School District Board Member
Chad Teasdale — 419
Jarett J. March — 331
Darrell Morrissey — 453
Southwestern School District Board Member, Area 2***
Steven G. Hoppman — 2 (Total: 346)
Melissa A. Fleege — 10 (Total: 333)
Write-ins — 0 (Total: 1)
Southwestern School District Board Member, Area 3***
Timothy J. Bell — 12 (Total: 586)
Southwestern School District Board Member, Area 4***
Anne M. Redfearn — 11 (Total: 584)
Benton School District Operational Referendum***
Yes — 285 (Total: 289)
No — 112 (Total: 116)
Black Hawk School District Operational Referendum***
Yes — 417 (Total: 512)
No — 329 (Total: 380)
Darlington School District General Obligation Bonds Referendum
Yes — 776
No — 509
Shullsburg School District Operational/Maintenance Referendum
Yes — 448
No — 254
