By Kim McDarison
Fort Atkinson City Council member Bruce Johnson has announced he will be seeking another term.
His seat, along with one held by Councilman Brandon Housley, will come due for reelection in April. Housley recently told Fort Atkinson Online that he does not intend to run for another term.
Johnson informed Fort Atkinson Online by email that he picked up his packet of required candidacy forms today.
Johnson will be seeking his third term in office.
About seeking another term in office, Johnson said: “I weighed out the pros and cons and the City of Fort Atkinson is nothing but a pro. We have great people to work with and I want to continue to work with them. I think I offer balance to the council and I am a good team player. The city is going places, with things to do, and I want to be part of it.”
Incumbents have until Dec. 24 to officially declare their intentions for candidacy by submitting a declaration of noncandidacy form with the Fort Atkinson city clerk’s office. Newcomers have until Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, to file a Declaration of Candidacy Form and Nomination Papers for Nonpartisan Office with the Fort Atkinson city clerk’s office.
All candidates must collect between 100 and 200 signatures on nomination papers to be eligible for candidacy. The period in which signitures may be collected begins today.
Johnson joins newcomer Eric Schutlz in announcing his intentions to run for one of the two open at-large council seats. Schultz announced his candidacy earlier this week.
Interested in running?
Those interested in running for two open seats on the Fort Atkinson City Council must file a Declaration of Candidacy Form (EL-162) and a Nomination Papers for Nonpartisan Office form (EL-169) with the Fort Atkinson city clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday Jan. 4, 2022. Filing by the deadline ensures that the candidates’ name will be placed on the general election printed ballot.
Candidates must also complete and submit a Registration Statement Form (CF-1) prior to raising or spending any funds. The deadline for the submittal of the form is Jan. 4.
For new candidates, the registration statement must be filed before collection or spending of funds and before submitting nomination papers.
Fort Atkinson is designated by the state of Wisconsin as a Third Class city. Candidates running for at-large aldermanic seats in Third Class cities, a designation given according to population, must collect between 100 and 200 signatures from eligible voters within the city on nomination papers.
An explanation of the state’s designation by class for cities is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Wisconsin#:~:text=Cities%20in%20Wisconsin%20are%20divided%20into%20four%20classes%3A,Fourth%20class%3A%20Cities%20with%209%2C999%20or%20fewer%20residents.
Candidates may not begin collecting signature on nomination papers before Dec. 1, 2021.
A primary election is required if more than four candidates come forward to run for the two at-large seats. If a primary election becomes necessary, it will be held on Feb. 15, 2022.
The Fort Atkinson City Council is a five-member board, with each member elected to a two-year term. Of the five members, two are elected in even-numbered years and three in odd-numbered years.
Bruce Johnson.
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