GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Former State Rep. Chad Weininger may challenge Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich next April — and he’s already taken financial steps to support a campaign.
Genrich has already announced he will seek a second term next spring.
Weininger, currently Brown County’s Director of Administration, served two terms as a Republican in the State Assembly from 2011-2015. He also has served as chief of staff under former Mayor Jim Schmitt, and as City Clerk. Weininger also has owned small businesses in the area, including a real estate company and a restaurant that were both located in the city’s downtown.
On Wednesday, Weininger announced he has taken the necessary steps to raise money to run for mayor. A decision would have to be made by December, when nomination papers are circulated.
Weininger issued the following statement:
“As a father of four young children, I’m worried about our community’s future. Over the past four years we’ve seen taxes increase, violent crime skyrocket and debt balloon. At the same time, our roads need fixing and our economic base is shrinking.
We need to get Green Bay back on track!
I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and put in the hard work it will take to make our city safer and more prosperous. I’ll work for lower taxes, less crime and more good jobs to ensure my children and your children have the opportunity to make Green Bay their home now and in the future.
We need to get partisan politics out of City Hall and focus on doing the right thing for our city. I have a proven record of delivering results by bringing folks together to solve tough issues, and the voters will have a clear choice about the future of Green Bay.”
Although just a tentative step, records obtained by FOX 11 show Weininger transferred $41,112 from his former Assembly campaign finance fund to a mayoral campaign fund.
According to city records, Genrich had $36,308 in his chest, as of the last filing date.
FOX 11 asked Weininger what he thinks of the job Genrich has done as mayor.
“Eric may be a nice guy, but the city is not headed in the right direction,” said Weininger. “This April, I think there is going to be a clear distinction with where we’re at now and where we can be and should be as a community.”
FOX 11 reached out to Genrich for comment on Weininger’s announcement, but we haven’t heard back.
Genrich has said he is running again because he’d like to build on progress he feels he’s made on making the city a place for everyone, investing in infrastructure and public safety, deepening our democracy and growing an inclusive economy.
Schmitt, Genrich’s predecessor, has told FOX 11 he is also contemplating a run but has not formally announced.
Weininger says this announcement allows him to talk to voters and raise money for a potential run, but he plans to make a formal announcement about his campaign later this year.
“This is the beginning steps, so I’m out talking to folks, raising some money,” said Weininger. “We’ll start building community support, and if there is community support for the vision, I’m going to move forward and, hopefully, be the next mayor.”
Nomination papers can start being circulated on Dec. 1, with election day set for April 4.
Former mayor Paul Jadin, who served two terms before Schmitt, tells FOX 11 he will be actively campaigning for Weininger.
The chair of the Brown County Board of Supervisors, Pat Buckley, who lost to Genrich in the mayor’s race four years ago, is also supporting Weininger. Buckley said he was planning to run again but decided Weininger is the most qualified for the job.
Others who have been mentioned as possible candidates are Green Bay City Council President Jesse Brunette and Vice President Brian Johnson. Both tell FOX 11 they have no plans to run.
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