Political scientist disappointed that more people aren’t running in La Crosse elections

Lots of people want to be the boss, but not enough want to be the workers. 

That’s the situation in La Crosse, as time is running out for candidates to sign up for the spring city elections. 

As of Tuesday morning, 10 people have taken out papers to run for mayor, which almost matches the 12 people who are vying for 7 city council seats in April. 

Retired UW-L political scientist Joe Heim is excited by the list of possible candidates for mayor, which includes two retiring council members, saying the field has “3 or 4” really good candidates.  

Heim says it’s odd that people aren’t running, after all the political activism we’ve seen in America over the past year.

“Proud Boys, Antifa, QANON, all these groups…I kinda thought that this would lead to greater interest in people running for office,” said Heim, “but so far, hasn’t happened.”

In the La Crosse school board election, 7 people have declared as candidates, and that’s the minimum number needed to have a February primary.

Three at-large seats will be filled on the school board in April.