December 21, 2009

Diane Lange leaving County Board; handful of contested elections shaping up

Long-time County Board Supervisor Diane Lange will not seek re-election to the County Board this spring, according to the County Clerk Wendy Christensen.

Lange is leaving after 12 years in elected office. She serves in the Third District, which is on the northeast side of Racine. Monte Osterman, the owner of Osterman Granite and Marble, took out papers to run for Lange's seat, Christensen said.

All 23 County Board seats are up for re-election on April 6. Candidates have until Jan. 5 to file papers to run for office.

Five other County Board seats may have contested elections this spring. They include:

14th District

Two people have taken out papers to run for the late Mike Miklasevich's seat. Mary Carrington and Mark Hjortness are considering a run for the seat. Carrington is a former member of the Mount Pleasant Town Board. Miklasevich died Dec. 13.

15th District

Incumbent Ken Hall may be challenged by John Lieber, who took out papers to run. Lieber previously ran for a seat on the Racine Unified School Board.

19th District

Incumbent Joseph Bellante Jr. may face a challenge from Donna Deuster, who took out papers to run.

21st District


Incumbent Gilbert Bakke may be challenged by Patrick Lee Haley, who took out papers to run.