When: Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024; polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Find your voting location at myvote.wi. All absentee ballots must be requested by March 28th, 2024 and turned in no later than 8:00 p.m. on April 4th either by mail or dropped off in-person. In-Person absentee voting will start Tuesday, March 19th and end Friday, March 29th. This will take place at City Hall. You can vote Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you plan to vote by mail, voters are strongly encourage to mail their ballots as soon as possible to ensure their ballot is received by the deadline.
What it’s about: There are 45 candidates running for the 29 seats this April. The Eau Claire City Council includes 29 members who each serve a two-year term. The candidates include:
District 23 Robin Leary (Incumbent), Kyle Polzin
Who can vote: The election is open to all eligible voters in the Eau Claire Area School District.
Where you vote and who is on your ballot:
Go to myvote.wi.gov
Enter your voting address to learn which races are on your ballot and where you vote.
Why this questionnaire: The Good Government Council (GGC) is a committee of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce dedicated to encouraging voter participation and providing members of the business community with non-biased information about candidates’ positions on important issues. Although the Chamber is active in policy issues, it is non-partisan and does not endorse political candidates.
Candidate Responses:
1. What are your background and qualifications for this position, and what value will you bring to the County Board personally?
Robin Leary
I have served on the Eau Claire County Board as a Supervisor since 1996. As a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with B.A. degree, I have the experience and education to represent constituents from District 23. I have served as Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, the Land Conservation Commission and the County Housing Authority as well as served on the Finance & Budget Committee, UW-Extension Committee, and the Emergency Planning Committee and the Highway Building Committee.
2. What should the County’s role be in responding to the healthcare crisis created by the HSHS and Prevea closings?
Robin Leary
Providing professional staff to work on the health and safety needs in cooperation with the area townships, cities and villages. Economic development staff should also cooperate in this endeavor with area medical professionals in closing this service gap. State financials should also be applied to this problem.
3. What is the County Board’s role in promoting economic development, business maintenance and commercial growth in the county?
Robin Leary
Eau Claire County tries to enhance road, bridge and utility infrastructure as well as provide quality of life structures such as clean water, parks and green space for residents to make this a place people want to live and work. We support economic development with the staff to market our business environment to attractive and a variety of businesses. TIF districts are supported as well.
4. How and on which issues and services should Eau Claire County work more collaboratively with the municipalities in its jurisdiction?
Robin Leary
Broadband development work needs to continue, emergency and disaster planning needs to be expanded as well. Resources for these issues need
to continue. We are all working with levy limits.
5. What should the County’s role be through its DHS department in working with the City of Eau Claire and other municipalities on issues related to mental health and the unhoused population?
Robin Leary
The County Department of Human Services works with all cities, villages and townships in its juridiction which does include the City of Eau Claire. The DHS will leverage our financial support but we are hindered from doing more due to levy limits. Medical clinics, staff and hospitals need capacity and willingness to work with people with mental illness.
Posted by Mallory Williams Governmental Affairs Intern
williams@eauclairechamber.org