Kader stepping down from council, but not politics in La Crosse

Last week, former council president announced she would not run again. 

She’s not running for city council but also not out of politics. 

Audrey Kader, former La Crosse city council president, earlier this month announced her intention not to run for council again. Now, however, she will run for the office of city clerk, which is also on the ballot in April.

“First of all, I just want the public to know that it is an elected position,” Kader said. “I think many people think it’s an appointed position.”

Incumbent Teri Lehrke is also on the ballot. She’s held the office since 1993. The clerk’s salary was raised by the council to $75,000 in December of 2015. Kader abstained from that vote.  

Kader has some disputes with how the clerk’s office has operated, though she denies her beef is with Lehrke herself.

“She and I have had our difference over the years,” Kader said. “It’s not personal, it’s just factual.”

While it is rare the clerk’s position has a challenger, the office has no experience requirements.