The election to the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors features 15 contested races with 30 candidates vying for seats in districts, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8,10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 this spring.
County Board supervisors serve two-year terms and earn an annual salary of $6,526.
Recently, the Kenosha News asked candidates in each of the races to answer questions on why they are running for office and the issues they feel are the most pressing as they face off in the April 2 election in Wisconsin’s eighth largest county by population.
The News will highlight five races each day with districts listed in numerical order and the candidates, in alphabetic order, providing their answers. These profiles continue Monday and Tuesday, March 25-26. An (i) denotes an incumbent.
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Today’s races include: District 2—Stephanie Knezz and Terry Rose (i); District 3—Annette Flynn and Jeffrey Gentz (i); District 5—David Arrington and Brian Thomas (i); District 6—Andres Gama and Duane O’Keefe; and District 8—Sarah Kirby and Zach Rodriguez (i).
Why are you running? District 2
Knezz: For many years, I have been a vocal advocate for inclusive practices in scientific fields, to promote the participation and retention of scientists from historically underrepresented backgrounds. In science, the most innovative ideas result from collaborations among people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. I believe that the same is true of governing bodies at all levels. Additionally, local government should represent the diversity that exists in the community itself. I believe the Kenosha County Board currently does not represent the diversity that exists in Kenosha County and by bringing new perspectives into the decision-making process, I hope to enrich the governing body and the decisions that it makes. I also hope to utilize by scientific background to provide context for decisions made by the board (particularly those that pertain to health and the environment, where drawing on scientific research can be beneficial).
Rose: I have lived in Kenosha all of my life except for when I attended college, law school and spent a year as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago. My parents and grandparents also lived here and my father practiced law in Kenosha for 54 years. My son Christopher practices law with me. My roots are deep in Kenosha. I care about what happens here. I am not part time in Kenosha. I have supported economic development on the County Board and will continue to do so. Kenosha has come a long way since the closing of Chrysler. The result of development is to bring jobs to Kenosha. I believe in compromise and am committed to working with Republicans, Democrats and Independents so we can get things done. This is a non-partisan position and I do what is best for Kenosha. I opposed allowing guns into county buildings. I supported policies that gave county government a AAA bond rating which, over time, saves taxpayers millions of dollars. And, I opposed book banning in our libraries.
District 3
Flynn: When I had a government issue with my small business, I reached out to my then-representative, my current opponent, for help. He never returned my phone calls or emails to assist me with my concern, so I know what it feels like to call out for help and have no one respond. One of the most important responsibilities of an elected official is to help constituents with issues they are facing with government and my opponent failed in this responsibility. I am committed to being a supervisor that will listen and help constituents with their problems to the utmost degree I am able.
Gentz: My time as a city alderman and County Board supervisor are my way of giving back to the community. I love Kenosha County and being able to be fiscally responsible with the taxpayers’ money and helping to create a great quality of life for the county residents. I am also running to bring back civility to the County Board. In the last two to four years, the board has found it harder to work together to compromise and find middle ground. I would like to be a solution to that situation.
District 5
Arrington: I love people. All people. As a teacher, coach, minister, mentor and community leader, my experience with people, families and organizations is unmatched. The agenda should be to serve the people. It’s time to elect someone with the experience who will put the motions on the floor and vote for better safety, create more jobs all while being fiscally responsible to the tax payer.
Thomas: My two years on the County Board have been very educational and eye opening to what actually gets done and how it gets done. Also, what gets ignored and the reluctance to address the needs of our community when it comes to discretionary spending and how we prioritize our borrowing. I intend to continue to look for ways based on research to address the needs of Kenosha County, such as, affordable housing, addressing needs of our youth, maintaining and enhancing community safety.
District 6
Gama: As a young American I believe voting is not enough anymore. If we want to seek change, we must run for office at all levels of government. I want to show Millennials/Gen Z that we, too, are capable of not only running for office but being elected to public office. Additionally, with County Board being a non-partisan position, I reckon the best approach to resolving issues facing our county is a data-driven, evidence-based methodology, which I shall bring to the County Board with my STEM academic/professional background.
O’Keefe: {Candidate did not respond}
District 8
Kirby: I believe that local government should be transparent, inclusive, and accountable. I am driven by a steadfast belief that local government should not be swayed by national partisan politics and should be focused on serving our constituents by implementing people-first policies. As a parent, professional, community volunteer and property taxpayer I have a vested interest in ensuring we are providing the services that our constituents want in a fiscally responsible manner. My extensive background in corporate finance and accounting, along with my more recent experience serving small businesses and local nonprofits, have given me the experience and skills necessary to serve our community and uphold the ideals of effective governance.
Rodriguez: I intend to keep building on the incredible progress we have made in just the last two years. We are on a roll and have expanded services while simultaneously lowering your property tax bill. I am proud to have added six new personnel to the sheriff’s department, the first time in years we’ve added more law enforcement to our rapidly growing county. I will also continue to make social services more accessible for our neighbors who need them most; this includes continuing our “Human Services on the Go” program and supporting the contract with Lake Behavioral Health to bring vital mental health services much closer to home. I also recently voted for funding, which will shorten the time children are in foster care and will always look for more opportunities to support our young generations. I’m excited to continue my work to support the Sunnyside, Lincoln Park and Uptown neighborhoods.
What is the county’s most pressing issue? District 2
Knezz: Mental health resources are difficult to procure and the process is confusing to navigate, especially for those in crisis. Further, the issue is exacerbated for Black and Hispanic residents. The state of mental health also profoundly affects community concerns like crime and homelessness. Building community-based support systems for mental health will provide support for residents across Kenosha County.
The county should also be making decisions with sustainability in mind. Many small decisions can have an impact on the climate and these decisions can range from preserving native habitats within county parks to providing easy access to transportation, discouraging use of individual automobiles. Projects like the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) Regional Rail Line are great examples of synergistic decisions that benefit the economy, encourage youth retention and can have a positive ecological impact. Identifying ways to incorporate sustainability into as many county projects as possible is a major priority for me.
Rose: Economic development – maintaining the drive for economic development and continued prosperity. Bond rating – maintaining our AAA bond rating with Standard & Poors. Kemper Center and Anderson Arts Center – maintaining funding. Mental health – continue to find new ways to increase mental health services, such as the contract with Lake Behavioral Health in Waukegan, Ill. Public safety – I supported increased funding in the sheriff’s department by investing in five new sheriff’s department personnel. County roads – I supported funding infrastructure, so it is functional and safe.
District 3
Flynn: I believe the most pressing issue facing the county is public safety. Our children deserve safe neighborhoods to grow up in, no matter where you live in the county. Also, the opioid epidemic is out of control and fentanyl is becoming more prevalent on our streets. We need a robust sheriff’s department, which means we need to invest in our law enforcement. I will ensure our deputies have the staff and tools they need, unlike my opponent who voted against adding personnel to the sheriff’s department. Additionally, I know so many are struggling with their mental health these days. I will focus on increasing mental health services and supporting the new Human Services Building, which will offer a wide variety of mental health specialties, such as veterans’ and family services.
Gentz: There are a number of issues facing the county highlighted by mental health, public safety, taxes and job creation. Partnering with Lake Behavioral Health was very important, both to patients and taxpayers, in the mental health area. Over my time on the board, we have increased both the number of deputies and squads on the road. As former chairman of Joint Services, we completed a public safety overhaul for our 911 services. All of those things show my commitment to public safety. During my time as chairman of the County Board, we had the lowest combined tax levy increase in more than 20 years. In the area of jobs, we have added over 13,500 to our county. It is one thing to say that you are for certain things, but actions speak louder than words.
District 5
Arrington: Public safety is my No. 1 concern. Our citizens deserve to see their tax dollars at work. When I served on the County Board, I put motions on the floor that supported the growth of the sheriff department, hiring new deputies and correctional officers. We purchased a mobile command unit. We expanded and renovated Brookside and built Willowbrook. I put motions on the floor that invested tax dollars in the future of Kenosha County and I’ll do it again.
Thomas: Despite the economic growth in Kenosha County, the population growth has not followed and our school districts are suffering as a result. Collectively the county, villages, towns, city and community stakeholders need to develop a short- and long-term plan on how to establish family-based housing developments that a young family can afford. There needs to be better coordination between the county, school boards, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, United Way, Mahone Fund, City of Kenosha and other community stakeholders to address the needs of our youth. Despite everyone’s best efforts, seldom, if ever, do we all come together to focus jointly to resolve the pressing issues our youth are facing.
District 6
Gama: Partisanship. This has been a growing issue for some years now on the County Board. While I anticipate having other like-minded County Board candidates elected, I suspect some incumbents will continue to push their partisan agenda. Therefore, like-minded candidates must consistently present data-oriented, decision-making to combat this partisanship for the benefit of our citizens.
Mental health services expansion. A growing number of young Americans have reported being depressed, without purpose, lonely and suicidal. The same group of Americans have committed suicide year over year and this trend is growing. My goal is to be a relentless advocate in exploring how the County Board can help expand mental health services to young folks in our county.
Emergency services. As Kenosha County’s population continues to grow, the expansion of our emergency services must grow at a similar rate or as close to it as possible. I want to ensure law enforcement, firefighters and paramedics have adequate staffing and equipment to respond to any emergency.
O’Keefe: {Candidate did not respond}
District 8
Kirby: The most pressing issues facing Kenosha County are the need for affordable health care, the ongoing mental health and addiction crisis and the lack of affordable housing. District 8 does not have sufficient health care facilities. The Aurora clinic near Grewenow has primary care, but the closest urgent care facility is Downtown. We are also continuing to deal with the opioid epidemic. The Kenosha Sheriff’s Department works hard to stop the people bringing these drugs in, but their job will be easier if we can reduce the demand through easy access to AODA treatment. Finally, we need affordable housing. Rent prices have skyrocketed over the last five years. The new developments in Uptown have the potential to uplift our community but we need to make sure that the people who can barely afford to live there now can still afford to live there two years from now.
Rodriguez: I believe our focus should be on safety, security and ongoing improvement. My commitment to public safety speaks for itself. I am proud to be the only County Board candidate endorsed by the Kenosha County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and I will continue to work with our sheriff’s department to ensure they have the staff, training and equipment they need to keep our families safe. Kenosha residents also need to feel secure economically. I will continue to fight for lower tax bills and add family supporting jobs. I supported the $350,000 investment into Uptown’s Revitalization after the 2020 riots. This investment and partnership will bring a new children’s library, more small businesses, a full-service grocery store and much-needed affordable housing for our young people, families and seniors. I grew up in the 8th District and still call it home. I will not stop being the loudest advocate for our neighborhoods!
Editor’s note: Since March 12, the deadline by which candidates were asked to submit their answers, other candidates have been endorsed by the Kenosha County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, including Rose.