GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The candidates in Green Bay’s mayoral race are squaring off tonight in what could be their only debate.
Eric Genrich and Chad Weininger are vying to be Green Bay’s mayor for the next four years.
If the primary election last month was any indication, it’s expected to be a close race. Weininger had just 87 more votes than Genrich in a four-person race.
The League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay will be moderating tonight’s one-hour debate, starting at 6:30, at Franklin Middle School.
Genrich is a one-term incumbent, having taken over for Jim Schmitt who served in the role for 16 years.
Weininger, who served in Schmitt’s administration as city clerk and chief of staff, has spent the past eight years as Brown County Director of Administration.
The attack ads have already started between these two with the April 4 election now less than three weeks away.
This is a nonpartisan race, but like the state Supreme Court race, you can clearly tell Democrats are behind Genrich and Republicans are for Weininger.
Genrich has leaned into the partisanship, advertising himself as a Democrat.
“Political parties have always been involved in these races to greater and lesser degrees,” said Genrich in a January 25 interview. “I’m really proud of the fact that the Wisconsin Democratic Party is supporting my candidacy. I received that support last time around and I truly believe the Wisconsin Democratic Party is one of the most pro democracy forces in the country at this point.”
Weininger has maintained he is nonpartisan, although Genrich’s campaign has tried to align him with former President Donald Trump.
“We see the dysfunction at the federal level and we don’t need that dysfunction at city hall,” said Weininger in a January 25 interview. “We really should try to keep it as nonpartisan as possible and really focus on the issues and not let political bosses down in Madison try to buy the local election.”
So what are the issues in this race? Roads, public safety, and affordable housing to name just a few.
The League of Women Voters is expected to stream the debate.
