Race for Racine Mayor!

Recently Racine Mayor John Dickert resigned from the position of major. Mayor Dickert has been Racine’s mayor since 2007. Mayor Dickert resigned on July 16 leaving Dennis iser as acting mayor. John Dickert taking on a role as executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI).

There was a total of six people running for mayor. Austin Rodriguez, Wally Rendon, Sandy Weidner, Corey Mason, Fabian Maldonado, Melvin Hargrove. Each candidate expressed three long term goals.

Austin Rodriguez said his top three goals were, start the recycling of electronics. He wanted to build a coalition of people to affect change, and also revitalize the housing market.

Wally Rendon wants to increase employment opportunities, develop a sustainable budget, and provide support for local businesses.

Sandy Weidner promises to return fiscal responsibility the to local government. She also promises to reduce debt load, and reduce spending on projects that should be funded by private investors.

Corey Mason hopes to increase conservation and renewable energy use. Mason wants to also spur sustainable economic development, and even connect racine to the interstate or use light rail to connect racine to jobs in our region.

Fabian Maldonado’s goals are creating an apprenticeship skill trade program, committing to 100% renewable resources. He also wants to fight for a prevailing wage in Racine.

Melvin hargrove wishes to revitalize Downtown, Uptown, and the Douglas Corridor. He also wishes to implement more home ownership, and make business areas more appealing to small business owners.

The primary for this mayoral race was on Sept 19. Mason and Weidner came out victorious for the primary. Mason lead with 2,565 votes. Weidner followed with 2,271 votes. Hargrove was in third with 1,498 votes. Rendon lagged behind with 216 votes. Maldonado had 158 votes. Rodriguez got the least amount of votes, 19. On Oct 17 we will find out who will be racine’s new mayor.