Hansen appointed as County Executive until April election

By Patricia Bogumil

Editor

The temporary assignment of Peter Hansen as Racine County Executive was made permanent Jan. 13 by County Board Chairman Russell Clark.

In this case, “permanent” means mid-April, or after the April 7 spring election in which voters will select one of two candidates currently vying for the elected position.

The candidates whose names are on the April 7 ballot for Racine County Executive are Jonathan Delagrave, the county’s Human Services Director, and Dave Lecus, a supervisor on the Raymond Town Board.

In prepared remarks, Clark noted Jan. 13 that Hansen has devoted more than 26 years to public service in county government.

As required by state law, Hansen offered a letter of resignation from the Racine County Board, effective Jan. 13, in order to make himself eligible for the County Executive appointment to April, and to help ensure a smooth transition in the office of County Executive, Clark noted.

Clark’s appointment of Hansen to serve as County Executive to April was unanimously confirmed Tuesday night by the County Board.

Afterward, he thanked Clark and the County Board for giving him the opportunity to work as County Executive for the next few months.

“I look forward to working with the County Board and doing what’s best for Racine County,” Hansen said.

The background

Hansen’s transition to County Executive follows the Dec. 30 resignation of Jim Ladwig as County Executive. In October, Ladwig announced his resignation, effective Jan. 1, in order to take a position in the private sector.

Until his recent move into the County Executive position, Hansen served as Chairman of the Racine County Board and, per state statutes, temporarily assumed the County Executive duties on Dec. 30.

Clark had been Board Vice Chairman and became the County Board’s new chairman, per state statutes.

Hansen’s resignation from the County Board has created a vacancy in the District 16 Supervisor position. The Board is currently seeking applications to fill out the remaining one-year term of Hansen’s position representing the 16th District.

Hansen currently serves as Yorkville Town Chairman, a position in which he is unopposed in the April 7 election.

Hansen said he has no plans to again seek election to the County Board, but instead plans to just serve residents as Yorkville Town Chairman, if re-elected.