State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) wants to prohibit state legislators from also serving as county executives. The proposal comes as Winnebago County Exec Mark Harris — a Democrat — is gearing up to run for the seat being left open by Senator Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac). Gudex has announced that he won’t seek reelection after serving one term.
“It kind of sounds like it’s being aimed specifically at me,” Harris told WHBY. “And that leaves me to believe that they are very nervous about me winning the 18th Senate District.”
Harris wouldn’t be the first person to serve in both capacities. Bob Zeigelbauer served for years in the state Assembly and as Manitowoc County executive. Harris said he doesn’t know if he would run for another term as county executive if he wins the senate seat in November. His term for the county post ends next April.
In addition to Harris, John Lemberger, a member of the Oshkosh school board and a department chairman in the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, has announced he’s running as a Democrat. Winnebago County Republican Party chair Dan Feyen has also announced that he’s a candidate
