APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Mayor of Appleton has made his endorsement.
Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna endorsed Jake Woodford to be the next mayor of Appleton this week.
Hanna did not seek re-election after a record 24 years in office. Woodford and James Clemons are the candidates running for Appleton Mayor.
Hanna endorsed Woodford based on his vision for Appleton, management experience, and ability to lead.
“As fate would have it, the City of Appleton will be electing a new mayor in the middle of a crisis.” said Hanna. “This election is not about the past; it’s about having the skills to manage our current health emergency as well as having a vision for keeping Appleton on a positive path forward, for these reasons I am endorsing Jake Woodford as the next Mayor of Appleton.”
Woodford responded to Hanna’s endorsement saying, “I am honored that he has endorsed me to succeed him. We are at a pivotal moment for our city; I appreciate Mayor Hanna’s trust in me to lead our city through the current crisis and deliver on the shared aspirations of Appletonians in the future.”
Clemons tells FOX 11 he is not surprised by the endorsement, but wishes he did not take Hanna at his word when he said he wouldn’t be endorsing a candidate.
“I just think it’s further evidence we do need a real change at the top at city hall right now,” said Clemons. “I do thank Tim for the years he’s been involved, but I think it’s time to move on with something independent.”
Clemons says he has strong relationships with the city’s department heads and alders. He also says his job with Advocate Aurora Health has him working with local hospital provider systems on the response to the coronavirus pandemic and puts him in a good place to deal with the issue.
The Appleton Mayoral election is on April 7, 2020.
