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Vicki Markussen becomes third La Crosse mayoral candidate

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FILE - Vicki Markussen in the WIZM studio Jan. 10, 2023, for La Crosse Talk PM.

Vicki Markussen is back in the running for La Crosse Mayor, after nearly winning the race back in 2021.

Markussen spoke to reporters Friday at City Hall, as she filed nomination papers for the election that will now have Feb. 20 primary.

Markussen is the third official candidate, following Shaundel Spivey and Ellie McLoone. The top two candidates to come out of the primary will head to the April 2.

Vicki Markussen (right) files nomination papers at the clerk’s office at La Crosse’s city hall on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 (PHOTO: Brad Williams)

Markussen said housing needs and the proposal for a city administrator are issues that may get much attention during the campaign.

She’s a past director of the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce, which she held until shortly before her previous campaign.

Current La Crosse Mayor, Mitch Reynolds, who is not seeking reelection, won that race by 215 votes.

Markussen actually won the primary with 1,560 votes that year. Reynolds had 1,345. Martin Gaul came in third with 1,151. There were 10 candidates in that primary.

Markussen also has hosts the Bizcast Greater La Crosse podcast, which focuses on local businesses. She has been a guest host on WIZM’s “La Crosse Talk,” as well.” Earlier in her career, Markussen worked on the news staff at WXOW-TV.

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Roy

    December 7, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    Really not sure that she’s “The Right Stuff”. She was wishy-washy Friday when asked about adopting a City Manager form of government, something that would directly affect her candidacy, salary and job description. Can’t straddle on this one, Ma’am.

    Last time around, 4 years ago, she also said that people should vote for her “because she’s a woman”
    Huh?

    • walden

      December 9, 2024 at 11:37 pm

      Interesting. Why would she want to be mayor if not able to make a case that the mayor position is needed. She needs to clean up her position on this matter.

      Unfortunately, weak opposition may let her skate on issues instead of staking out positions. That could mean surprises after the election. During the last mayoral election, a radio forum literally had one candidate addressing an issue and the rest of them in turn saying “I agree” with no-one stepping up to differentiate themselves. Hopefully we will not see a repeat of that waste of time.

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