Incumbent City of Merrill District 4 Alderperson Kandy Peterson was bumped from the ballot in a three-way primary race Tuesday. Challengers Steve Osness and Ron McAllister will now face off in the April 3 general election. Osness was the top vote-getter with 68, followed by McAllister with 36. Peterson trailed with 15 votes. She has served on the Merrill Common Council since 2010.
Osness, 40, works as a Maintenance Technician at Church Mutual Insurance Company. He is a member of St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, Kate Goodrich PTO, and a coach for girls/boys elementary school.
McAllister, 55, is retired from 34 years with the Department of Corrections. He is a past president of Northern Correctional Employees Union Local 6 (AFSCME) for 25 years, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
The statewide election for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice saw Michael Screnock and Rebecca Dallet move on to the general election. Lincoln County voters agreed with the statewide results, giving 1,165 votes to Screnock and 640 to Dallet. Unsuccessful candidate Tim Burns garnered 337 votes in Lincoln County.