WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) — There is a third candidate for mayor in Wausau. Ninth ward alderman David Oberbeck was eliminated in the primary election, but says he has decided to run as a write-in candidate.
The alderman and architect believes the city can benefit from his experience. “I’d like to provide a third choice based upon my experience with six years on the council, fourteen years working with boards and commissions, and my thirty one years of working in the community as an architect, so I see that as value.”
Oberbeck came in fourth out of five candidates in the February 16th primary. Fellow council member Robert Mielke finished with 1,258 votes. Attorney Jay Kronenwetter had 1,170 votes. Alderman Keene Winters placed third with 1,093 votes. Oberbeck had 812 votes, and former police officer David Prokop had 543 votes.
Oberbeck has supporters that urged him to run as a write in. He believes the relatively small voter turnout of the primary is not a true measure of the citizens of Wausau. “Some of the people that support me have asked me to do this, and I was in it the first time with the primary, so I see no disadvantage with moving forward with a campaign to address what’s needed for Wausau.”
Oberbeck wants to see Wausau focus more on economic development issues, and see the city make investments in projects that give the taxpayers a better return for their dollars.
He knows running a write in campaign is difficult. “I know it’s going to be an uphill battle, because you have to get people to write down your name, but you know, I’ll be out there, and hopefully they’ll vote for me based on what they see I can do for Wausau.”
