GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — In the world of elections, much of the focus this summer is on the November midterms, but Green Bay’s mayoral race is less than a year away.
Mayor Eric Genrich said he still hasn’t decided whether he is running for reelection. His predecessor, Jim Schmitt, says he’s also thinking about another run.
The two have combined to be Green Bay’s mayor for the past 24 years. The end of Genrich’s term will be his eighth year in the job. Schmitt served 16 years — the longest tenure ever in Green Bay — from 2003-2019.
“I’m going to be honest with you, as I’ve always been. Yeah, I’m thinking about it,” said Schmitt.
“I feel like we’ve got a little bit of time, but planning to sit down with the family and supporters and decide what the next move looks like,” said Genrich.
Genrich said the reasons he would run again include helping come up with what’s next once the coal piles are moved out of downtown and bringing a United Soccer League team to the city. He said he should have a decision this summer.
“I don’t see myself running for another office, if not for reelection,” said Genrich, a former state representative, when asked if he sees himself taking on another role at the state level. “I don’t see that in the immediate future, but you kind of never say never.”
As for Schmitt, he said the same thing four years ago — that he was thinking about running again, but ended up deciding against it.
“I think about this city every day,” said Schmitt. “When it comes to elected office, there’s a lot of factors that go into that.”
Schmitt said he’s been holding focus groups about the city and potentially trying to get his old job back. He’s been working at New Community Shelter, teaching at NWTC, hosting a podcast called the Green Bay Way and some would say stepping up his social media presence in a running-for-office type of way.
“I sure like to promote the community and talk to people and learn about it more and more through the Green Bay Way,” said Schmitt.
Genrich said he isn’t surprised at Schmitt’s interest.
“I think it’s really important for us to not look backward as a community, no matter who decides to run for office — myself included,” said Genrich.
So far, no one has officially declared their candidacy.
When Schmitt was in office, he helped bring term limits to the city’s government. No one can be mayor or on the Common Council for more than 12 consecutive years. Schmitt previously mentioned that he’s always been open to someone running again after taking a mandatory break.
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