La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds not seeking reelection

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds told WIZM on Monday night he is not going to seek reelection.

“There are a number of reasons,” Reynolds said. “This was definitely a difficult decision to come to. I am absolutely looking forward to new challenges and new opportunities.”

Reynolds was first elected in 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He defeated Vicki Markussen by 215 votes (4,655-4,450).

Reynolds took over for Tim Kabat, who did not seek reelection after serving two terms, beginning in 2013.

Reynolds biggest accomplishment may be in getting the River Point District through the development stage with the first apartment buildings now up. The River Point District has been a vision for three decades.

Reynolds has also revamped leadership at the La Crosse Center, just after the $42 million expansion. He merged Center operations with the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. Reynolds put Parks director Jay Odegaard in charge when Art Fahey retired, after 30 years at the Center.

The last La Crosse mayor to serve just one term and not seek reelection was Matt Harter, who was elected in 2009.

Before that, Mark Johnsrud served just one term, before leaving to be the city administrator in another Wisconsin town.

So far, two candidates have announced a bid for mayor, including earlier Monday when Ellie McLoone announced. Back in October, Shaundel Spivey was the first to announce a run for mayor.

When Reynolds got into the race, 10 candidates were in the running. Out of the primary, Reynolds and Markussen came out on top with former La Crosse city council chair Martin Gaul a close third.

La Crosse mayoral primary:

• Vicki Markussen – 1,560
• Mitch Reynolds – 1,345
• Martin Gaul – 1,151
• Jessica Olson – 898
• Joe Konradt – 800
• Sam Schneider – 339
• Zebulon Kemp – 159
• Katherine Blanchard – 138
• Chris Stolpa -113
• Greg Saliaras – 100